Now both men have made history for their country, leaving a permanent mark on the history books.
The Israeli government on Sunday approved the appointment of Reuven Azar as the new Ambassador to India.
As Donald Trump registered a historic comeback in the US presidential election, many former Indian diplomats on Wednesday concurred that the India-US ties will "continue to grow" from strength to strength, even as some of them cautioned that Trump is "highly unpredictable" and New Delhi will have to "wait and watch" to see what position he adopts going forward.
Rohit Sharma's triumphant team will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 11 am at his residence before flying to Mumbai, where a road show and felicitation function is scheduled at the Wankhede stadium.
India become only the second team in the world to win a Test after conceding 500 runs in the first innings.
Sourav Ganguly believes Rishabh Pant is on course to become an all-time great in Test cricket.
Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli joined the chorus of top Indian cricketers in congratulating Mithali Raj on becoming the highest run-getter in the history of women's ODIs.
As Swapnil shot to glory in the 50m rifle 3 positions event, taking India's tally to three at the Paris Games on Thursday, his family and friends exploded in joy at his home in Kolhapur district.
The tournament, being hosted under the aegis of World Boxing, featured four boxers in the women's 75kg category -- Borgohain, Cindy Ngamba of the Refugee Boxing Team, Qian and England's Chantal Reid -- and held in a round robin format.
Paralympic star Kumar Nitesh cites BAI apathy, wants badminton to be placed under PCI as para shuttlers needed to be treated on par with their able-bodied counterparts.
A dominant Bangladesh outclassed hosts Pakistan by six wickets in the second Test to complete a 2-0 series sweep.
Heaping praise over the the Rohit Sharma-led side, Khanna congratulated head coach Ravi Shastri and the entire team for their 'great achievement', while giving special mention to Karthik's performance.
The Maldives media reported Azim's win as a 'landslide' and 'victory by a large margin.'
Jasprit Bumrah added another feather to his hat when he was on Tuesday named the 'ICC Men's Player of the Month for June'.
Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, and Virender Sehwag praised 'inspiration' Bopanna for his incredible achievement.
'I am privileged to have represented India for more than two decades and earning my 300th international cap is truly a special memory for me.'
After what at one stage earlier this month looked like a vast game of musical chairs, reigning champions India ended up topping the world rankings when the five-month countdown to the 2015 World Cup started on Sunday.
Ashwin bagged the wicket of Jonny Bairstow to become the first Indian player to reach the landmark milestone.
For Yuvraj Singh, it was the perfect payback for a similar thrashing India had received 23 years ago.
PCB supremo Zaka Ashraf in his desperate bid to do damage control after indirectly terming India "enemy nation", hailed the warm reception that was accorded to the Pakistani team.
Images from Day 3 of the first Test between Australia and India in Perth on Sunday.
India's cricket fraternity, led by Sachin Tendulkar, on Sunday hailed the Indian team's comprehensive victory over Australia in the third Test in Melbourne, terming it an incredible effort and one to be cherished for a long time.
Pakistan Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani has congratulated Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the Indian cricket team's victory in the cricket World Cup and expressed the hope that sports links between the two countries will be "fully restored in the near future".
'Guys like Rishabh Pant have got a muscle memory and the thirst for victory.' 'He was such a key player last time he played there and the Australian public loved him as well, because of the nature of the way he played his game.'
Just when you think you have seen enough of him, the genial goalkeeper from Kerala conjures up something special and leaves you pleasantly surprised.
Rahane also pointed how the coach's contribution was the key to the team's success.
'I hope this win inspires boys and girls who watch thousands of dreams and want to make them come true.'
Congratulate the Indian team on winning the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup.
'The 100th Test match probably means 10 x 100 to my dad, it means a lot to my wife and my mom. My daughters are more excited than I am.'
Varma also received a surprise message from his MI colleague, Dewald Brevis of South Africa, congratulating him on his India debut.
Join us in congratulating Kumble and the Indian team on their historic achievement.
South Africa skipper Dean Elgar also said the Indian pacers Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will be a threat for the Proteas batters in the upcoming two matches.
'Mood is upbeat as first teams arrive in the Olympic Village,' says India's Chef-de-Mission Gagan Narang
'I would also like to congratulate the team of The Elephant Whisperers on their win today bringing another Oscar to India.'
World leaders said they were looking forward to working with Joe Biden, as they welcomed the 46th President of the United States with praise and took parting shots at his predecessor Donald Trump.
Ravindra Jadeja termed his spin partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin as 'Indran-Chandran'.
'The feeling is surreal,' tweeted Surya
West Indies award 9 cricketers historic multi-year contracts across men's, women's teams
India named striker Rani Rampal as skipper and Deep Grace Ekka and Savita as two vice-captains of the national women's hockey team for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics to be held from July 23 to August 8.
Several Hindu temples, households and businesses have been vandalised, and at least two Hindu leaders affiliated with former Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's Awami League party have been killed in the violence since Monday, when Hasina resigned and fled to India.
