Indian team gets words of solace from PM Modi after heartbreaking defeat
New Delhi, Nov 20: Crestfallen after losing the World Cup trophy match on Sunday night, the Indian cricket team had the country's Prime Minister Narendra Modi to offer his commiserations.
The heartbreaking defeat left a few Indian cricketers in tears while others just went into a shell.
Modi visited the Indian dressing room where he hugged pacer Mohammed Shami, the highest wicket-taker in the tournament, and also spoke with Ravindra Jadeja.
The cricketers took to social media to reveal about their meeting with the PM.
"We had a great tournament but we ended up short yesterday. We are all heartbroken but the support of our people is keeping us going. PM @narendramodi's visit to the dressing room yesterday was special and very motivating," Jadeja posted on X along with a picture with Modi.
Shami also posted his picture with Modi with a message.
"Unfortunately yesterday was not our day. I would like to thank all Indians for supporting our team and me throughout the tournament. Thankful to PM @narendramodi for specially coming to the dressing room and raising our spirits. We will bounce back!," Shami wrote on his X, formerly twitter, page.
Modi had also posted a message for the Indian team on social media.
"Dear Team India, Your talent and determination through the World Cup was noteworthy. You've played with great spirit and brought immense pride to the nation.
We stand with you today and always," he wrote on X on Sunday night.
Several fans on X appreciated PM Modi for his gesture.
"That's what leaders do . Cheer the team when they need it most !!," wrote Sacheth N Rao, who reposted the Shami pic.
"It's a tough Monday but these images fill me with warmth. Prime Minister Modi spending time with the players after the game yesterday is also a testament to the belief 1.4 billion Indians will always have in the Men in Blue'. We will rise again," wrote Yash Pathak.
Mehroz Ali Pasha also had the same sentiment.
Nice gesture from @PMOIndia. Team India played great game of cricket thoughout the tournament. It was just one bad day. Team will bounce back!," Pasha wrote.
Shubman Gill was hurting, Shreyas Iyer also found it difficult to let the reality sink in while veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin also endured a mighty heartbreak as they opened up about their poignant experiences following the World Cup final loss to Australia.
"We're heartbroken, it still hasn't sunk in and it won't for a while," wrote Iyer on X.
"My first World Cup was an experience that has taught me so much and made me grateful for everything that's come my way. Thank you to the @BCCI, team management, support staff, my teammates and you the fans for backing us from the beginning right up until the end. And congratulations to the entire Australian team on a marvelous campaign," Iyer wrote.
Gill took to Instagram to share his side of the story.
"Been almost 16 hours but still hurts like it did last night. Sometimes giving your everything isn't enough. We fell short of our ultimate goal but every step in this journey has been a testament to our team's spirit and dedication.
"To our incredible fans, your unwavering support in our highs and lows means the world to us. This isn't the end, it's not over until we win. Jai Hind."
Another post from Shami read,"You win some, you lose some. Tough pill to swallow for us but we have our heads held high.
Ashwin, who was a member of India's 2011 World Cup winning side wrote: "Mighty mighty heartbreak last night. Everyone in the team had several days to remember during this campaign and special mentions to Kohli, Shami, Rohit and Bumrah."
The ace offspinner further congratulated Australia.
"However I can't help but applaud the giants of modern day cricket "Australia". What they did on the field yesterday was just unbelievable. Congrats on their 6th World Cup win."
Dear Team India,
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 19, 2023
Your talent and determination through the World Cup was noteworthy. You've played with great spirit and brought immense pride to the nation.
We stand with you today and always.
We had a great tournament but we ended up short yesterday. We are all heartbroken but the support of our people is keeping us going. PM @narendramodi’s visit to the dressing room yesterday was special and very motivating. pic.twitter.com/q0la2X5wfU
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) November 20, 2023
Unfortunately yesterday was not our day. I would like to thank all Indians for supporting our team and me throughout the tournament. Thankful to PM @narendramodi for specially coming to the dressing room and raising our spirits. We will bounce back! pic.twitter.com/Aev27mzni5
— πΈπππππππ πππππ (@MdShami11) November 20, 2023
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Leopard spotted near Kadri Manjunath Temple in Mangaluru
Mangaluru: A leopard was spotted in Doctors’ Colony near the Kadri Manjunath Temple area in Mangaluru in the early hours of Monday, February 23, creating anxiety among residents of the locality.
According to local residents, the animal was spotted in the CCTV footage of two cameras installed in the locality around 1 am near the entrance gate of Doctors’ Colony. The footage shows the leopard walking calmly in front of the gate before moving out of view.
The sighting has come as a surprise as the area is largely urbanised, with apartment complexes and villa-type houses dominating the surroundings. Except for a small patch of forested land above the Kadri temple area, there is little greenery nearby. Residents say the concrete landscape offers limited scope for wild animals to find food.
This is not the first time wild animals have been spotted in the locality. Two years ago, a wild gaur had entered the same area and was later guided back into the forest through Shaktinagar. Just last week, a smaller leopard was sighted in Shaktinagar and was also captured on CCTV cameras. Now, a bigger leopard has been recorded near Kadri.
So far, no one has reported a direct sighting of the animal, and no formal complaint has been lodged with the Forest Department.
Forest Department officials said leopard movement is common during the months of January and February, as the animals often enter human settlements in search of food. In areas near forests, they usually prey on poultry and stray dogs.
Officials added that leopards are capable of travelling 15 to 20 kilometres in a single night and generally do not remain in one place if they are unable to find food. While sightings are more common in forest-fringe areas such as Bajpe and Neermarga, repeated appearances within core city limits this time have caused concern among residents.
