NEW DELHI: Indians reacted with shock and dismay on Wednesday after their stunning World Cup exit, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailing the team’s “fighting spirit” and his main rival saying a billion hearts were broken.
Near the end of the semi-final against New Zealand, with India still in with a chance, a crowd of some 400-500 fans cheered and danced at every big hit on a big screen at an amphitheatre surrounded by offices in Gurgaon outside Delhi.
But when MS Dhoni, India’s warhorse, was spectacularly run out by Martin Guptill’s direct hit to follow Ravindra Jadeja back to the pavilion, the fans knew the game was as good as over and most walked out, devastated.
“We are feeling sad, and you can see me, I feel like crying,” said office worker Neeraj Singh, sobbing, after New Zealand’s dramatic 18-run win.
“We love Team India, we love Kohli, we love Mahi (MS Dhoni) and forever we will love cricket. And like our boss Kohli has said, Dhoni will forever be our captain in our hearts,” he told AFP. – AFP
