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India’s T20 World Cup-winning team arrived in New Delhi early Thursday morning to a rousing welcome from cricket fans at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
Holding placards congratulating their favourite players, waving the Tricolour and shouting 'India, India', they braved a steady drizzle and lined up outside the airport to welcome the victorious players.
"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 claimed to have been waiting since 4:30am, referring to India's last World Cup triumph back in 2011.
Some said they were waiting outside the airport since last night.
"We have been here since last night. It was very important for us to win this World Cup after losing the ODI World Cup last year," one said.
Skipper Rohit Sharma and his men won the 2024 T20 World Cup after pulling off a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final at Kensington Oval, in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday, June 29.
The chartered Air India flight, with a special call sign -- AIC24WC - Air India Champions 24 World Cup -- left Barbados's Grantley Adams International Airport on Wednesday after being stranded there for three days due to the category 4 Hurricane Beryl.
Aboard the aircraft were the team, its support staff, the players' families, officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India and travelling Indian media.
The team will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later at 11 am at his residence before flying to Mumbai, where a road show and felicitation function is scheduled at the Wankhede stadium.
The team will arrive in Mumbai at 4:00pm. The players are expected to reach the National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), from where a two-hour open bus parade will begin at 5pm.
The open bus parade on Marine Drive will culminate at the Wankhede stadium.
The felicitation function is scheduled at 7:30pm, after which the players will leave for the team hotel.
Heavy security was deployed to keep the crowd in check at the 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 T3 Terminal to ferry the players to their hotel, from where they will head to the Prime Minister's residence for a reception.
The players trickled out in ones and twos after completing immigration formalities. Tired but excited, they acknowledged the waiting fans by waving at them and flashing warm smiles.
Suryakumar Yadav, who took the sensational match-winning catch of David Miller in the final, was the most enthusiastic in responding to the cheering.
Wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant saluted the crowd, while pacer Mohammed Siraj blew flying kisses in their direction.
Rohit and 'Player of the Final' Virat Kohli, both of whom retired from T20Is at the end of India's campaign, were among the last to come out via the VIP exit.
Rohit, who held the coveted trophy in his hands, raised it for the fans to catch a glimpse before boarding the bus while Kohli gave a thumbs up before taking his seat in the bus.