The victorious Indian cricket team came home on Thursday after winning the T20 World Cup, hailed by a large gathering of excited fans at Indira Gandhi International Airport despite inclement weather and strict security precautions.
Hundreds of supporters gathered outside the airport to greet the winning team, holding placards, waving the national flag, and cheering enthusiastically. The squad defeated South Africa in a thrilling final in Bridgetown the previous Saturday, winning by seven runs.
The team’s return home was delayed due to a shutdown in Barbados induced by Hurricane Beryl, causing an extended stay at the hotel. The BCCI organized a special charter jet to bring the squad back. The Air India flight, AIC24WC (Air India Champions 24 World Cup), left Barbados early Wednesday morning and arrived in Delhi after a 16-hour direct flight.
Captain Rohit Sharma and Player of the Final, Virat Kohli, were among the last to exit the VIP area, to tremendous ovation. Heavy security was in place, but it did not dampen the emotions of the fans, who displayed pictures of their favorite players, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid.
The win for India marked their second T20 global title, breaking an 11-year drought without an ICC trophy. The team’s most recent major ICC success was the Champions Trophy in 2013, following World Cup victories in 1983 (ODI), 2007 (T20), and 2011 (ODI).
Visit to Prime Minister
Following a visit with the Prime Minister, the squad will travel to Mumbai for an open-bus victory parade and a felicitation celebration at Wankhede Stadium. BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and Captain Rohit Sharma have urged fans to turn out in huge numbers to celebrate the team’s win.
The victory parade in Mumbai will be a sentimental moment for Rohit Sharma, a local hero, as it is reminiscent of the huge road show performed 17 years ago when India won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy.
Indian skipper Rohit Sharma raised the prized trophy in front of a jubilant audience at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on Thursday.
