Smile, this is how we have been watching you: How PM Modi boosted Team India’s morale after World Cup final loss to Australia

PM Modi’s Pep Talk to Team India: “Aap log pura das das game jeet kar aaye ho, ye to hota rehta hai‘ (You have won 10 games on the trot. It’s all part and parcel of the game).”

These were the encouraging words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi after India lost to Australia in the final of the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad on Sunday. 

Modi starts conversation patting India skipper Rohit Sharma and stalwart batsman Virat Kohli on their backs. 

“Muskruraiye bhai, jaisa aap logo ko dekhte aaye hain (Give a smile. This is how we have been watching you),” the PM says addressing Sharma. Modi shakes hands with Sharma and Kohli as both batsmen can be seen flanking Modi.

#WATCH | Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Team India in their dressing room after the ICC World Cup Finals at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat on 19th November.

The PM spoke to the players and encouraged them for their performance throughout the tournament.

(Video:… pic.twitter.com/ZqYIakoIIj

— ANI (@ANI) November 21, 2023

Home Minister Amit Shah can also be seen smiling in the background when Modi is addressing the players.

The PM then moves and asks coach Rahul Dravid to come. The former ace India batsman comes forward and shakes hand with the Prime Minister. “Mehnat bahut ki hai, lekin (you guys have tried really hard, but…),” Modi said to Dravid.

Modi then approaches all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and addresses him in Gujarati. Jadeja shakes hands, responds in Gujarati and passes a smile.

The PM shakes hands with young batsman Shubman Gill, and then calls wrecker-in-chief bowler, Mohammed Shami, by his name.

Modi hugs him, pats on the back, and says, “Bahut accha khele (you played well).”

The PM approaches seamer Jasprit Bumrah, shakes hands with him and says in Gujarati, “Gujarati bol toy, thoda, thoda (Do you speak in Gujarati a little?).”

He shakes hands with Suryakumar Yadav, Kuldeep Yadav and wicketkeeper batsman KL Rahul, saying, “Aap logon ne bahut acchi mehnat ki hai (You guys have really worked hard).

He then addresses the team and asks players to encourage each other during the those dull moments.

He invites them to meet him in New Delhi whenever they get time.

Coming such encouraging words from a leading personality like Modi would have most likely boosted the confidence of the Indian team.

After completing its World Cup campaign, the Indian team is set to play Australia in a five-match T20 series starting November 23.