Indian T20 World Cup-Winning Team Returns to Enthusiastic Welcome in New Delhi
New Delhi: The Indian cricket team, triumphant in the recent T20 World Cup, returned to the country on Thursday aboard a specially-arranged charter flight. Despite a steady drizzle and heavy security measures, scores of fans gathered outside the airport to welcome the players.
Hundreds of supporters, holding congratulatory placards and waving the national flag, braved the weather to greet the victorious team, which defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown last Saturday.
“We have waited for this moment for the past 13 years. The team has made us proud by winning the World Cup,” said a fan who had been waiting since 4:30 am, referring to India’s last World Cup triumph in 2011.
The team was unable to return home immediately after their victory due to a shutdown caused by Hurricane Beryl in Barbados. They remained in their hotel until the BCCI arranged a special charter flight.
The Air India special charter flight AIC24WC — Air India Champions 24 World Cup — departed Barbados around 4:50 am local time on Wednesday and arrived in Delhi at 6 am (IST) on Thursday after a 16-hour non-stop journey.
The Indian squad, its support staff, the players’ families, some BCCI officials, and members of the travelling media contingent were aboard the flight.
Heavy security was deployed to manage the crowd at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, but the fans’ enthusiasm remained undeterred. They cheered enthusiastically, holding posters of star batter Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma, and outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid.
Two buses were stationed outside the T3 Terminal to transport the players to their hotel, from where they were scheduled to head to the Prime Minister’s residence at 9 am for a reception.
The players, though tired, acknowledged the waiting fans with waves and smiles as they trickled out after completing immigration formalities.
Suryakumar Yadav, who took the sensational match-winning catch of David Miller in the final, was particularly enthusiastic in responding to the cheers. Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant saluted the gathered crowd, while pacer Mohammed Siraj blew flying kisses.
Rohit Sharma and Player of the Final Virat Kohli, both retiring from T20Is at the end of India’s campaign, were among the last to exit through the VIP gate. Rohit, holding the coveted trophy, raised it for the fans to see before boarding the bus. Kohli gave a thumbs up to acknowledge the support before joining his teammates on the bus.
In their excitement to see their heroes, some fans claimed they had been waiting outside the airport since the previous night.
“We have been here since last night. It was crucial for us to win this World Cup after losing the ODI World Cup last year,” a group of fans said.
The squad’s victory secured India its second T20 world title, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy. India’s previous ICC title was in 2013 when it won the Champions Trophy under Mahendra Singh Dhoni. The country’s earlier World Cup titles came in 1983 (ODI), 2007 (T20), and 2011 (ODI).
Following their meeting with the Prime Minister, the players will fly to Mumbai to participate in an open bus victory parade and a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah and Rohit Sharma had posted on social media on Wednesday, urging fans to turn out in large numbers to support the team.
This event holds special significance for the 37-year-old Rohit Sharma, a Mumbai native and a 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 inaugural 2007 World T20 in South Africa.
