Hardik Pandya returned to Baroda on Monday, 16 days after winning the T20 World Cup. The vice captain of the world-winning team was welcomed by his city. On the other hand, Argentine soccer fans celebrated in Buenos Aires after Lionel Messi won the Copa America. But around that festival, there was turmoil. The Indian team returned home after winning the World Cup after about four and a half days. Hardik was in Mumbai for so long after that.
Hardik returned home on Monday after attending Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant’s wedding ceremony. The people of his town made special arrangements to welcome him. An open-hood bus is arranged for Hardik to go home from the airport. Many people thronged the streets of Baroda to see him. Some of them were holding the national flag. Someone else came wearing the jersey of the Indian cricket team. Hardik was also wearing India’s jersey.
But he was wearing a one-day cricket jersey. The video of Baroda welcoming Hardik has gone viral on social media. On the other hand, thousands of soccer fans flocked to the streets after Argentina beat Colombia to become Copa America champions a record 16 times. The streets of the capital, Buenos Aires, did not even have places to hold moles. Argentina’s national flag, pictures of Messi-Angel Di Maria, national team jerseys—Argentina’s football fans celebrated late at night.
Even after morning, the main road of the city was occupied by thousands of people. Despite the request of the police, the festive people did not show interest in clearing the road. Finally, a large police force came with water cannons and cleared the road. “Riot Police” (riot police) were also brought down. This behavior by the police made the situation somewhat chaotic. Many people threw stones at the police. A few people suffered minor injuries in the incident, but nothing serious.