The Indian cricket team, fresh off their triumphant victory in the T20 World Cup, touched down in Delhi on Thursday. Their return was delayed by five days due to Hurricane Beryl, which forced a shutdown in Barbados, where the team had been stranded after clinching the coveted title. Hundreds of fans, waving national flags and holding placards, braved a steady drizzle to line up outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport, eager to welcome their victorious heroes.
The Rohit Sharma-led squad, having secured India’s second T20 world title, ending an 11-year drought for an ICC trophy, embarked on a special Air India charter flight, AIC24WC – Air India Champions 24 World Cup, from Bridgetown, Barbados, around 4:50 am local time on Wednesday. After a 16-hour non-stop journey, the flight landed in Delhi at 6 am (IST) on Thursday. The Indian squad, their support staff, players’ families, some board officials, and members of the traveling media contingent were all aboard.
Their victory in the final, a thrilling seven-run win over South Africa, marked India’s fourth overall World Cup title. However, the team was unable to immediately return home due to the hurricane.
The team is now set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. Following this, they will fly to Mumbai for a celebratory open bus victory parade and a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium. The city is poised to erupt in celebration as their champions return home.
