The T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team landed in Delhi via a specially arranged charter flight on Thursday. Fans lined up outside the airport to welcome the players despite a steady drizzle and heavy security deployment.
Hundreds of supporters braved the weather to wave the national flag and welcomed the champions by holding placards to congratulate their favourites. India defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown on Saturday last week to end the 13-year World Cup drought.
The side was unable to head back home immediately after the title win due to a shutdown forced by Hurricane Beryl in Barbados. They were cocooned in their hotel before the BCCI made arrangements for the special charter flight.
The Air India special charter flight AIC24WC — Air India Champions 24 World Cup — which left Barbados around 4:50 a.m. local time on Wednesday and arrived in Delhi at 6 a.m. (IST) on Thursday after a 16-hour non-stop journey.
The Indian squad, its support staff, the players' families and some BCCI officials were aboard the flight along with members of the travelling media contingent.
Heavy security was deployed to keep the crowd in check at the Indira Gandhi International Airport but that did little to dampen the spirits as fans cheered enthusiastically holding up posters of star batter Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma and outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid.
Two buses were stationed outside the T3 Terminal to ferry the players to their hotel, from where they will head to the Prime Minister's residence at 9:00 a.m. tentatively for a reception.
Captain Rohit Sharma, held the coveted trophy in his hands and raised it for the fans to catch a glimpse before boarding the bus. Virat Kohli gave a thumbs up to acknowledge the support before taking his place in the bus.
Touching down in Delhi, the Indian Cricket Team brings home the World Cup T20 trophy! Amid cheers and applause, the nation celebrates their historic win. Welcome back, champions!#ChampionsReturn #WorldChampions #DelhiAirport pic.twitter.com/Et7c7QMBZ1
After meeting the Prime Minister, the players will fly to Mumbai to participate in an open bus victory parade followed by a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.
BCCI secretary Jay Shah and Rohit posted on social media on Wednesday, urging fans to turn up in large numbers to show their support for the side.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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