• Spectators at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi came together to sing 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' in full synchronization.

  • India defeated Afghanistan by eight wickets in the ninth match of the ODI World Cup 2023.

ODI World Cup 2023 [WATCH]: Delhi crowd sings ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ in full synchronization during IND vs AFG game
Delhi crowd sings 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' in full synchronization (Image Source: Twitter)

In the world of sports, there often occur some moments that transcend competition and remind us of the power of unity, patriotism, and the human spirit. The ninth match of the ODI World Cup 2023 witnessed one such moment when India faced Afghanistan at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium on October 11.

The day was marked by intense cricketing action, with Afghanistan putting up a commendable score of 272/8 and India effortlessly chasing down the target with eight wickets in hand. But amidst the cheers and celebrations, it was the collective voice of the Delhi crowd singing ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ that stole the show and touched the hearts of millions.

Afghanistan batters show determination

The stage was set as Afghanistan won the toss and elected to bat first. The Afghan batters showcased their determination, with Hashmatullah Shahidi leading the charge. Shahidi’s brilliant innings of 80 runs off 88 balls, adorned with eight fours and one six, anchored Afghanistan’s innings. Azmatullah Omarzai provided solid support, contributing 62 runs off 69 balls. However, India’s bowlers still managed to restrict Afghanistan to a total of 272/8 in the allotted 50 overs. Jasprit Bumrah was the most successful bowler for the Men in Blue, bagging four wickets for 39 runs.

India’s successful run chase

In reply, India’s top-order batters delivered a stunning performance. Rohit Sharma emerged as the star of the day, playing a majestic innings that left the crowd in awe. The Indian skipper played a knock of 131 runs off just 84 balls and set the stage for India’s comfortable victory. Ishan Kishan and Virat Kohli chipped in with 47 and 55 runs, respectively, while Shreyas Iyer added 25 runs, ensuring that India reached the target in just 35 overs. Afghanistan’s bowlers struggled to make an impact, with Rashid Khan being the only standout performer, claiming two wickets for 57 runs.

Also READ: Indian captain Rohit Sharma shatters several records in the clash against Afghanistan

The unforgettable rendition of ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam’ by Delhi crowd

While the cricketing action was enthralling, it was the emotional and patriotic moment in the stands that captured the hearts of the nation. Indian fans present at the Arun Jaitley Stadium showcased a remarkable display of unity and patriotism as they passionately sang ‘Maa Tujhe Salaam,’ a patriotic song composed by the legendary A.R. Rahman.

The stadium came alive with the energy of thousands of voices harmonizing in unison, and the entire arena was bathed in the colours of the Indian flag through a stunning light show, creating a mesmerizing visual spectacle. The rendition of this iconic song not only added a unique dimension to the atmosphere but also evoked a profound sense of pride and unity among those present at the venue and countless Indians worldwide who were glued to their screens, witnessing this heartwarming moment.

The video capturing this priceless moment quickly went viral on the internet, and it was a testament to the power of sports in bringing people together.

Here’s the video:

Also READ: Naveen ul Haq praises Virat Kohli after drawing a curtain on IPL feud during IND vs AFG clash

TAGS:

CATEGORY: Featured India ODI World Cup

For latest cricket news and updates, subscribe to our Weekly Newsletter.

About the Author:
Vishwanath Hariharan is Content Strategist at CricketTimes.com. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication. From breaking news stories to in-depth features and opinion pieces, he has covered a wide range of topics. Vishwanath is very fond of watching cricket. Like many others, he too grew up watching, playing, and imitating his favourite players of the game. MS Dhoni is like a demigod to him. You can connect with him at vishwanath.hariharan@crickettimes.com and follow him on Twitter & Linkedin.