Exuberant fans followed their cricket heroes despite monsoon rains and heavy security deployment as India’s T20 World Cup-winning team returned to a euphoric reception that included all the elements of a lively party, here on Thursday . Hundreds of supporters, holding signs congratulating their favorites and waving the national flag, braved the bad weather to wait outside the airport for the victorious team, which defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown on Saturday last week.
“We have been waiting for this moment for the last 13 years. The team made us proud by winning the World Cup,” said a fan, who said he had been waiting since 4:30 am, referring to India’s last World Cup. triumph that returned in 2011.
The team was unable to return home immediately after winning the title due to a stoppage forced by Hurricane Beryl in Barbados. They were put up in their hotel before BCCI secretary Jay Shah made arrangements for a special chartered flight.
Air India’s special charter flight AIC24WC – Air India Champions 24 World Cup – which left Barbados at around 4:50 am local time on Wednesday, arrived in Delhi at 6 am (IST) on Thursday, after a direct journey 16 hours.
Heavy security was deployed to keep the crowd under control at Indira Gandhi International Airport, but that did little to dampen spirits as fans cheered enthusiastically holding posters of batsman Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma and outgoing coach Rahul Dravid.
Two buses were parked outside Terminal T3 to transport the players to the ITC Maurya Sheraton, where they were welcomed by dhol and traditional Bhangra dancers.
Most of them, including captain Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant, shook a leg with the assembled dancers, giving them a lifetime memory.
Jubilation in the air
O #T20WorldCup The champions have arrived in New Delhi!
Featuring the Captain’s raw emotions @ImRo45 -led #TeamIndiaarrival full of celebrations pic.twitter.com/EYrpJehjzj
-BCCI (@BCCI) July 4, 2024
Even the security personnel on duty had smiles on their faces as the players let down their hair after the long journey, shook hands with everyone they wanted and moved into their rooms after cutting a cake that was prepared for them.
All of this unfolded amid the expected media frenzy. Shortly afterwards, they left to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence, continuing the busy schedule that awaits them throughout the day.
Earlier, at the airport, the players left little by little, one or two, after completing immigration formalities.
Tired but excited, they greeted the waiting fans by waving to them and giving them warm smiles.
Suryakumar, who claimed David Miller’s sensational victory in the final, was the most animated as he responded to the applause.
Pant, who returned to international cricket at the recently concluded event after a life-threatening car accident, greeted the assembled crowd, while pacer Mohammed Siraj blew flying kisses his way.
Rohit and Player of the Final Kohli, both retired from T20Is at the end of India’s campaign, were among the last to leave the VIP exit.
Rohit held up the coveted trophy for fans to take a look at before they boarded the bus. Kohli, in turn, gave a thumbs up to acknowledge the support.
In the excitement of seeing their heroes in person, some fans claimed they had been waiting outside the airport since last night.
“We have been here since last night. It was very important for us to win this World Cup after losing the ODI World Cup last year,” said a group of fans.
The team won the country its second T20 world title, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, on Saturday. India’s previous ICC title was in 2013 when they won the Champions Trophy under Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
His previous World Cup titles were in 1983 (ODI), 2007 (T20) and 2011 (ODI).
After meeting the Prime Minister, the players will fly to Mumbai to take part in an open-top victory parade, followed by a congratulatory ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah and Rohit posted on social media on Wednesday urging fans to turn out in large numbers to show their support for the team.
It would be a special moment for 37-year-old Rohit, who is a Mumbaikar and a huge fan favorite in the city.
A similar road show was held in Mumbai 17 years ago when Dhoni’s team defeated arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the first T20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa.
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