Cheers and tears as The Unbreakables return
Ajinkya Rahane knew there would be neither be an open bus parade with confetti nor thousands lining up the roads to cheer, but he dressed for the occasion even though he was going straight home. Mohammed Siraj would go home, too, but after tending to more urgent business en route—grieving at his father’s grave in Hyderabad.
The housing complex where Rahane lives received India’s stand-in skipper with percussion, flowers and all the trappings of a traditional Maharashtrian welcome. Siraj, India’s highest wicket-taker in Tests, spent a few quiet moments with his departed father Mohammed Ghouse, who drove an auto-rickshaw for a living.
Chinnappampatti village near Salem in Tamil Nadu arranged a horse-drawn carriage for local boy T Natarajan; the fast bowler made his debut in every format in the series after being originally picked only as a net bowler.
This was how members of the Indian team were received in different parts of the country on Thursday after a remarkable and historic series in Australia, one that included a victory that is being hailed as India’s greatest Test win ever.