Thaindian News

Ghaziabad, April 4 (IANS) Two days after India’s World Cup victory, visitors haven’t stopped pouring into the house of all-rounder Suresh Raina, while his family is still overjoyed but stress it was a team effort that led to India lifting the trophy for the second time after 28 years.

“It was the country’s victory, not for the family or the city,” said Raina’s mother Pravesh.

Saying all the players were like her own children, she said: “I am delighted with the wonderful experience of the victory of Team India.”

His father, T.C. Raina expressed similar sentiments. “The victory is for the nation not for the individual,” he said.

Raina’s father said he was glued to the TV throughout the match.

As the winning runs were scored, Raina’s mother distributed laddoos to everyone, while his father began dancing to the beat of dhols and soon the entire family joined in.

Although Raina did not bat against Sri Lanka in the final in Mumbai Saturday that India won by six wickets, his fielding was excellent and saved a number of runs that contributed to the team’s victory.

“It’s a proud feeling that India has won the World Cup. It’s a very proud moment for us. We are feeling so happy that we don’t have words to express our joy in these moments,” said Raina’s father.

Asked how he viewed Raina’s key role in the tournament, his brother Dinesh said: “It is everybody’s contribution. It’s a collective effort. Suresh is simply a part of the team. It is important that the team wins.”

“When Suresh contributes, we feel proud. But it’s a different feeling in a mega series like the Wold Cup. The winning of the team, above all, makes us proud,” Dinesh said.

Soon after midnight Saturday, all roads leading to Raina’s house in Sector 11 Rajnagar were jammed with people coming to congratulate them.

“We were spellbound with the zest and zeal the people showed in front of our house. It was a nice feeling,” Dinesh said.

On Sunday, people continued pouring in to the house.

Local MP and former Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh Monday visited Raina’s parents and congratulated them. Singh said the country feels proud of the team’s performance in the World Cup final.