The moment Sanju Samson connected with the final delivery and sent it into the Melbourne night, India erupted.
From Mumbai to Varanasi, Bengaluru to Kashmir, the result of the World Cup final brought celebrations across the country. Firecrackers filled the sky, streets filled with supporters, traffic slowed as people celebrated the World Cup victory.
But one moment from the chase drew as much attention as the winning six.
The replays ran across television channels and social media.
India needed one run to win. Siddanth Deva stepped forward and defended the delivery back onto the pitch instead of taking the winning run.
The decision immediately brought comparisons with MS Dhoni.
In the 2014 World T20 semi-final in Dhaka, Dhoni had defended a delivery and allowed Virat Kohli to finish the chase. Dhoni had also supported a young Siddanth Deva in a similar situation.
Now, at the MCG, Deva had done the same for Sanju Samson.
He had chosen not to take the winning run and had given Samson the chance to finish the match.
For the captain, it was another example of putting the team ahead of his own score.
---
While supporters celebrated across India, the Shamshabad farmhouse had become a family dressing room.
The television showed the players celebrating on the MCG outfield.
Aadhya was already celebrating.
She spun across the Persian rug in her India jersey, shouting whenever another Indian player appeared on the screen.
"We won! Nana won! We won!"
Krithika sat on the sofa with a smile. She watched Deva climb out from the team huddle on the field, his face covered with sweat and dirt after the final.
Vikram sat in an armchair and applauded while watching the broadcast.
Sesikala moved around the room, wiping her eyes with the edge of her saree. She carried a silver plate of Murukulu, which she had prepared before the match. After offering a prayer at the family shrine, she placed the plate on the coffee table.
Rishi sat at the other end of the sofa.
He was not celebrating like Aadhya. Wearing his India jersey, he watched the television and followed the players on the field.
When the Murukulu arrived, he picked up one piece and took a bite without taking his eyes off the screen.
The final had ended. Rishi was still following the post-match coverage.
The pitch celebration ended, and the broadcast moved to the trophy presentation.
The officials took their places.
"And now, to collect the ICC T20 World Cup, I invite the captain of India, Siddanth Deva!"
Deva walked onto the presentation stage. He shook hands with the officials and took the trophy.
He lifted it above his head.
"See!" Aadhya shouted, pointing at the television. "Nana! Nana is taking the trophy!"
"He is, baby," Krithika said, pulling her into a hug. "Nana won the big cup."
Aadhya looked at the trophy on the screen.
"I will win a cup," she announced. "I will get a big cup and I will be on the TV."
Vikram laughed and leaned forward.
"Is that so, Aadhya?" he asked. "Do you want to become a cricketer too, just like Nana?"
Aadhya frowned.
She thought about the plastic bat she used in the backyard and then looked back at the trophy.
"I don't know," she said. "But I will get a cup, and I will be on the TV!"
The room broke into laughter.
Vikram looked toward Rishi.
"What about you, Rishi?" he asked. "Are you going to bring a cup home too?"
Rishi stopped chewing and looked at his grandfather.
He gave one serious nod before turning back to the television.
"Well," Krithika said, wiping her eyes, "I guess we need to build a bigger trophy cabinet."
The broadcast returned to the MCG outfield.
The presentation was over, and the Indian players were beginning their victory lap. Music played around the ground as the players celebrated together.
Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya were in the middle of the group, jumping and dancing.
Deva joined them with the Indian flag around his shoulders.
Then he noticed Sanju Samson standing outside the group with his Man of the Match medal.
Deva walked over, took Samson by the arm, and brought him into the middle of the celebration.
Sanju laughed before joining the group.
Back in the Shamshabad living room, Aadhya watched the television.
She saw her father pull Sanju into the celebration.
Then she looked toward Rishi.
Aadhya ran across the rug, grabbed his arm with both hands, and pulled.
"Come on!"
Rishi had been reaching for another piece of Murukulu. He looked at his sister before allowing himself to be pulled from the sofa.
Aadhya took him to the middle of the rug.
She released his arm, raised her hands, and started jumping.
Rishi looked at Aadhya.
Then he looked at the television.
A grin appeared on his face.
He raised his arms and joined her.
The twins jumped together in front of the television, copying the celebration they had just watched on the field.
Krithika watched them from the sofa.
The children were copying the way their father had brought Samson into the team celebration.
The players continued their victory lap.
A broadcast camera followed Deva as he moved away from the group to catch his breath.
The T20 World Cup trophy rested on his right shoulder, and the Indian flag was tied around his waist.
Sweat and dirt covered his face.
He noticed the camera following him.
Deva stopped and looked into the lens.
He raised his left hand and pointed toward the camera.
"Aadhya. Rishi," Deva said. "Nana is coming home with the trophy."
He smiled.
"And Aadhya," he added, "we will race as soon as I am back."
Inside the farmhouse, the twins stopped dancing.
They stared at the television.
Their father was speaking directly to them from the MCG.
"NANA!" Aadhya shouted.
She ran to the television and placed both hands against the screen.
"I am ready!"
Rishi joined her and placed his hands against the screen. He nodded repeatedly.
India had won the World Cup.
Deva had lifted the trophy.
Now he had one more contest waiting at home: a race with his daughter.
@HarshaBhogle_Quotes: I have seen many great moments in this sport. But Siddanth Deva dead-batting that delivery to give Sanju Samson the winning hit... that is the absolute pinnacle of leadership. The spirit of MS Dhoni lives on in Melbourne tonight. ๐ฎ๐ณ๐
@CricketNerd_IND: The sheer arrogance and beauty of Sanju Samson stepping out and launching a six to win a World Cup Final! Deva trusted him, and the boy became a man today! ๐ฅ
@MSDhoni_FansOfficial: 2014: Dhoni defends the ball for Kohli. 2022: Deva defends the ball for Sanju. Passing the torch. The legacy of selflessness in Indian Cricket is unmatched. ๐๐
@MemeCentral_Desi: Pakistani Bowler: "I have set the field, I will bowl a dot ball!"
Deva: "Jokes on you, I WANTED a dot ball." ๐ฟ
Absolute Gigachad behavior from the captain.
@Virat_Army_Delhi: Virat and Deva dancing like absolute maniacs on the MCG turf is the serotonin boost I needed to survive the rest of the year. The brotherhood is beautiful! ๐บ๐
@BCCI: CHAMPIONS OF THE WORLD! ๐๐ฎ๐ณ A flawless campaign, a masterclass in leadership, and a historic night at the MCG! Congratulations to Siddanth Deva and the Men in Blue!
@FanGirl_Sid: OMG did anyone else just start sobbing when Deva looked into the camera and talked to his twins?! "Nana is coming home with the trophy." I AM A PUDDLE ON THE FLOOR! ๐ญโค๏ธ
@SportsFreakIN: Sanju Samson was standing outside the circle looking so shy, and Deva literally dragged him into the middle of the dance floor! That's my captain! He makes sure everyone shines! โจ
@Lahore_Blues: Heartbroken. But we fought hard to defend 137. Have to admit, Siddanth Deva's tactical captaincy was suffocating today. Congratulations, India. You were the better team. ๐ต๐ฐ๐ค๐ฎ๐ณ
@Stats_Guy99: Siddanth Deva's T20 World Cup Final average is literally infinity because he refuses to get out. The man is a machine built for finals. ๐ค๐
@CricCrazyJohn: The fact that Deva remembered the Dhoni moment in the split second of a World Cup final delivery just proves his brain operates on a completely different processing speed. ๐ง โก
@Sonia_Styles12: Deva covered in dirt, holding a massive trophy, wrapped in the Indian flag, talking to his kids on live TV... the absolute peak of husband/father material. The man is flawless. ๐ฅต๐
@TiredFastBowler: Let's take a moment to appreciate Arshdeep Singh and Shami today. They absolutely choked the Pakistani batting lineup. Defending 137 is impossible if your bowlers aren't perfect. ๐ฏ๐ฅ
@DesiSarcasm:Kids: "Dad, how did we win the 2022 World Cup?"
Me: "Our captain intentionally didn't score a run so a kid from Kerala could hit a six."
Absolute cinema. ๐ฅ๐ฟ
@Sanju_Fan_Club_Kerala: SANJU SAMSON HIT THE WINNING SIX OF A WORLD CUP FINAL! KERALA IS NOT SLEEPING TONIGHT! THANK YOU SIDDANTH DEVA FOR BELIEVING IN HIM! ๐๐ฅโค๏ธ
@Gamer_Boy007: I need an EA Cricket game update where if you press 'circle', your captain just dead-bats the ball to give the strike to the youngster. Highest respect button unlocked. ๐ฎ๐
@BlueBleeders: The redemption arc is complete. From the heartbreak of the Asia Cup to lifting the World Cup at the MCG. Siddanth Deva played the long game, and he won everything. ๐๐ฎ๐ณ
@Vibe_Official_Trends: #SelflessCaptain, #SiddanthDeva, and #SanjuSamson are currently occupying the top 3 global trending spots. The internet is officially broken. ๐๐ฅ
@CricketShitpost Rauf: Exists
Virat Kohli & Siddanth Deva: "And we took that personally." ๐
@Local_Uncle: Very good sanskar shown by Siddanth Deva today. Respecting the youngsters and remembering Dhoni. This is the culture we need in the team. Proud to be Indian today. ๐ฎ๐ณ๐
@Deva_Empire_Forever: "Aadhya, we will race as soon as I am back." Deva is an apex predator on the pitch but the softest dad at home. I love this man so much! ๐ญ๐โโ๏ธ
@Shoaib_Akhtar_Fan: India's bowling was too disciplined today. They didn't give Babar and Rizwan any room to breathe. The better team won. Siddanth Deva is a tactical genius. ๐
@MemeKing_Hyd: Deva dragging Sanju into the dance circle is exactly how introverts get adopted by extroverts at a party. ๐๐บ
@AnandMahindra: A masterclass in leadership, grace, and execution. Siddanth Deva has shown that true power lies in empowering those around you. A glorious victory for India! ๐ฎ๐ณ๐
@UK_Cricket_Pundit: You have to admire the sheer nerve of taking a dot ball when you need one run to win a World Cup. It requires a level of supreme confidence that only Siddanth Deva possesses. ๐ฅถ
@Virat_Army_Official: The King and the Architect. They stabilized the chase, they ran hard, and they brought it home. The greatest duo in modern cricket history! ๐๐๏ธ
@TiredParent_Life: Deva promising to race his 4-year-old daughter immediately after winning a World Cup is so relatable. Parenting never stops, not even at the MCG. ๐ ๐โโ๏ธ
@ICC_Official: A selfless act of leadership. A glorious finishing strike. A moment that will live in cricket history forever. India are the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 Champions! ๐๐ฎ๐ณ