Cricket World Cup Champs Return Home to Hero's Welcome in Delhi

Despite monsoon storms and heightened security, jubilant cricket fans cheered on their heroes as the Indian team that won the T20 World Cup returned to a rapturous welcome that featured every aspect of a wild celebration here on Thursday.

Hundreds of fans braved the bad weather to wait outside the airport for the winning team, which defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown on Saturday of last week. They held signs thanking their favorites and waved the national flag.

"For the past 13 years, we have been waiting for this moment. Referring to India's most recent World Cup victory, which occurred in 2011, a supporter claimed to have been waiting since 4:30 a.m. "The team has made us proud by winning the World Cup," the fan remarked.

Due to a shutdown brought on by hurricane Beryl in Barbados, the team was unable to return home right away following their championship victory. Before BCCI secretary Jay Shah arranged for a special charter flight, they were sequestered in their hotel.

On Thursday, July 4, 2024, supporters assemble at the airport in New Delhi to greet the Indian cricket team that has won the T20 World Cup. The Indian cricket team won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados, and they came home on Thursday.
On Thursday, July 4, 2024, supporters assemble at the airport in New Delhi to greet the Indian cricket team that has won the T20 World Cup. The Indian cricket team won the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados, and they came home on Thursday.

After a 16-hour nonstop flight, the Air India Champions 24 World Cup special charter aircraft AIC24WC, which departed Barbados on Wednesday at 4:50 a.m. local time, arrived in Delhi on Thursday at 6 a.m. (IST).

At the Indira Gandhi International Airport, tight security measures were implemented to manage the gathering. However, this did not deter the boisterous cheers of supporters, who waved posters of star batsman Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma, and departing head coach Rahul Dravid.

The players were transported to the ITC Maurya Sheraton by two busses parked outside the T3 Terminal, where they were welcomed by traditional Bhangra dancers and dhol players.

The majority of them, including captain Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant, gave the gathered dancers a once-in-a-lifetime experience by shaking hands.

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The players let their hair down after the long flight, shook hands with everyone who wished to, and walked into their rooms after cutting a cake that was kept ready for them. Even the security officers on duty smiled.

Amidst the anticipated media flurry, everything transpired. After a short while, they set out to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his home, beginning a busy day ahead of them.

The players had already left the airport in groups of one or two after completing the necessary immigration procedures.

Exhausted yet joyful, they smiled warmly and waved to the fans who were waiting.

The player who responded to the applause the most enthusiastically was Suryakumar, who made the incredible catch of David Miller in the championship that won the game.

Following a near-fatal vehicle tragedy, Pant made his comeback to international cricket at the just finished event. Pacer Mohammed Siraj showered the assembled audience with flying kisses.

Among the last players to leave the VIP exit were Rohit and Player of the Final Kohli, who both announced their retirement from T20Is at the conclusion of India's campaign.

Before getting on the bus, Rohit held out the much-coveted trophy so that the supporters might get a glance. To show his appreciation for the help, Kohli offered a thumbs up.

There were supporters who said they had been waiting outside the airport since last night, all excited to meet their heroes.

"We arrived here late last evening. After losing the ODI World Cup the previous year, it was crucial for us to win this one, a bunch of supporters exclaimed.

After 11 years without an ICC trophy, the team ended the nation's 11-year drought for its second T20 world title on Saturday. India's last ICC championship came from winning the Champions Trophy with Mahendra Singh Dhoni in 2013.

It had previously won three World Cups: 1983 (ODI), 2007 (T20), and 2011 (ODI).

The players will travel to Mumbai to take part in an open bus triumph parade and a felicitation event at Wankhede Stadium after meeting with the Prime Minister.

On Wednesday, Jay Shah, the secretary of the BCCI, and Rohit shared messages on social media encouraging supporters to show up in big numbers to express their support for the team.

For the 37-year-old Mumbaikar, who is a great fan favorite in the city, it would be a unique occasion.

A road show such to this one took place in Mumbai seventeen years prior, following Dhoni's team's victory against Pakistan in the championship match of the 2007 World T20 in South Africa.

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