Rohit Sharma brought the T20 World Cup 2024 trophy home as the Indian team reached New Delhi on Thursday morning, receiving a euphoric reception despite the monsoon showers and heavy security deployment. Fans, holding placards and waving the national flag, waited outside the airport to celebrate with their cricketing heroes, who had defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown the previous Saturday.
"We have waited for this moment for the past 13 years. The team has made us proud by winning the World Cup," said one fan who had been waiting since 4:30 am, referring to India's last World Cup triumph in 2011.
The team had been delayed in returning home due to Hurricane Beryl in Barbados, but finally arrived in Delhi on a special charter flight arranged by BCCI secretary Jay Shah. The Air India flight, named Air India Champions 24 World Cup, landed in Delhi after a 16-hour non-stop journey.
Heavy security at Indira Gandhi International Airport couldn't dampen the spirits of the cheering fans, who held up posters of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid. Two buses were stationed outside the terminal to take the players to ITC Maurya Sheraton, where they were greeted with dhol beats and traditional Bhangra dancers. Players, including Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant, joined in the celebrations by dancing and cutting a cake prepared for them.
Even the on-duty security personnel shared in the joy, with players shaking hands and greeting everyone before heading to their rooms.
At the airport, fans cheered as the players trickled out in ones and twos after completing immigration formalities. Tired but excited, the players acknowledged the crowd with waves and smiles. Suryakumar Yadav, who took the match-winning catch of David Miller in the final, was particularly animated in his responses. Rishabh Pant, returning to international cricket after a life-threatening car accident, saluted the crowd, while Mohammed Siraj blew flying kisses.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, who retired from T20Is after the World Cup, were among the last to exit. Rohit raised the trophy for fans to see, while Kohli gave a thumbs-up to acknowledge their support. Some fans claimed to have been waiting outside the airport since the previous night, expressing the importance of this victory after losing the ODI World Cup last year.
The team's victory parade will continue with an open-top bus ride in Mumbai, concluding with a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium. BCCI secretary Jay Shah and Rohit Sharma had urged fans to turn up in large numbers to support the team.
This victory parade is a special moment for Rohit Sharma, a Mumbaikar and fan favourite in the city, reminiscent of the roadshow held 17 years ago when MS Dhoni's team won the inaugural 2007 World T20 against Pakistan.