NEW DELHI, 17 April 2004 — Viewed as an important chapter in the two nations’ diplomatic ties, the just-concluded Indo-Pak cricket series also was of “historic” importance for it led to India’s first-ever series win on Pakistani soil.
“The whole nation is proud of you,” President APJ Abdul Kalam said in his congratulatory message to Indian cricket captain Saurav Ganguly and the whole team for their “historic” victory.
“My hearty congratulations to all of you on this historic and fantastic win that you have registered in the just-concluded cricket series in Pakistan,” read Kalam’s message, which was sent through the Indian High Commissioner in Islamabad.
Observing that India’s 2-1 win against Pakistan in the Test series was “made possible by admirable team effort,” the president said, “My heartiest congratulations to all of you and best wishes for all your matches in the future.”
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee took time off from election campaigning to congratulate the home team, as fans mobbed homes of the players.
“The Indian team deserves all the credit for their spectacular display in all departments of the game which enabled them to win both the one-dayers as well as the Test series. It is a victory of teamwork, determination and a will to win,” he said.
Vajpayee also congratulated host Pakistan and its spectators and players who “displayed unique warmth and sportsmanship in all the matches, which made the series truly historic and memorable.”
“This is a dream come true for the Indian players and the people of the country,” Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani said.
“The one-day and the Test series have generated a lot of expectations and goodwill,” Advani said as motorists tapped their horns and fans burst firecrackers across India.
Taking a break from her electoral campaign, Congress President Sonia Gandhi termed the cricket team’s historic victory as “India’s moment of glory.”
“Congratulations Team India. This is India’s moment of glory. Team India represents the young, resurgent new India,” Sonia said in a message to the team.
A delighted cricket chief Jagmohan Dalmiya immediately announced a five million-rupee ($1.2 million) reward for the players, while national leaders jammed phone lines with good wishes.
Former Test batsman Navjot Sidhu said the Rawalpindi triumph was comparable to India’s finest moment, the 1983 World Cup victory.
“It’s not about individuals any more,” said Sidhu, doing TV commentary on the series. “This team has erased the blot. Now they can say proudly ‘we can go out and win’.”
Delirious fans shouted slogans praising the players and burst crackers in celebrations across the country as soon as the team clinched the deciding third Test by an innings and 131 runs with over a day to spare.
India’s first overseas series victory since Sri Lanka in 1993 also made Ganguly his country’s most successful Test captain, surpassing the previous record of 14 wins by Mohammad Azharuddin.
Ganguly’s hometown of Calcutta exploded with celebratory firecrackers across the cricket-mad city.
Man of the series Virender Sehwag’s home in the Najafgarh suburb of New Delhi was bursting at the seams with fans and neighbors as the capital prepared to party well through the night.
