Team India get grand reception as they come back home as T20 World Cup 2024 Winners. The complete highlights of celebration and top twitter reactions.
After a 17-year wait, India's cricket team triumphantly clinched the T20 World Cup in Barbados, marking a historic moment for the nation. The joyous celebrations commenced immediately and continued upon their return to India.
The wait was long as the cricketers, support staff, their family members and BCCI officials were stranded in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl. But it finally ended as the Air India special flight, arranged by BCCI, touched down at New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport at around 6:10 am on July 4.
The videos released by the BCCI, from inside the flight came as a morning joy moment for the fans as the Indian players including Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah were seen celebrating inside the plane, visibly elated and clutching the cherished T20 World Cup trophy. For Rohit Sharma, in particular, this victory held profound personal significance, as he joined the esteemed ranks of Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni as only the third Indian captain to lead his team to World Cup glory.
Victory celebrations in New Delhi
Outside the Delhi airport, despite a steady drizzle, hundreds of enthusiastic fans had gathered with colourful placards and waving national flags, eager to welcome their cricketing heroes back home. The atmosphere crackled with excitement and fervour as the players, coaches and BCCI officials were escorted through the throngs of supporters to the awaiting convoy that would take them to the ITC Maurya hotel in the national capital.
At the hotel, a specially commissioned cake designed in the likeness of the T20 World Cup trophy awaited the team's arrival. Led by captain Rohit Sharma, the players joyfully participated in a ceremonial cake-cutting ceremony, sharing this moment of triumph with one another and their loyal supporters.
The cake was cut by Rohit, followed by former captain Virat Kohli, before leaving for the Prime Minister’s meet. Kohli was also seen giving autographs after the cake cutting. Apart from Rohit and Kohli, Hardik Pandya and Rahul Dravid were the others to cut the cake.
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Team India meets PM Modi
Shortly thereafter, an eagerly anticipated event awaited the victorious team: a meeting with the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, at his official residence. This meeting was not merely a formality but a significant recognition of the team's monumental achievement and its impact on the nation's spirit. PM Modi, known for his avid support of Indian sports, had been a pillar of encouragement for the team during both triumphs and setbacks, including the loss in the 2023 World Cup final against Australia, instilling in them the belief in their ability to overcome challenges and achieve greatness.
During their interaction with PM Modi, key officials from the BCCI presented him with a specially embroidered Indian cricket jersey adorned with the number one and the inscription "Namo," symbolising the Prime Minister's popularity and leadership. This gesture also showcased the mutual respect and admiration between the team and PM Modi, who expressed his joy in hosting the champions and hearing first-hand accounts of their exhilarating journey to World Cup victory.
Post-meeting, the PM said he had memorable conversations with players about their tournament experiences. "An excellent meeting with our Champions! Hosted the World Cup winning team at 7, LKM and had a memorable conversation on their experiences through the tournament," wrote PM Modi on his X handle.
During the meeting, Jay Shah and Roger Binny presented him with an Indian Jersey with the number one and "Namo" written on it. "The triumphant Indian Cricket Team met with the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji, at his official residence today upon arrival. Sir, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your inspiring words and the invaluable support you have provided to Team India," wrote BCCI on their X post.
Victory Parade in Mumbai
Following their meeting with the Prime Minister, the team prepared for a grand celebration in Mumbai, the heart of Indian cricket and a city renowned for its passionate sporting culture. As they arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport, the players were greeted with a ceremonial water salute by the Mumbai Fire Brigade, a poignant tribute to their remarkable achievement on the global stage.
The streets leading to Marine Drive and the iconic Wankhede Stadium were thronged with ecstatic fans, eager to catch a glimpse of their sporting idols and express their overwhelming pride and joy.
Among all the traffic, rush and rain, the enthusiasm among the fans knew no boundaries. The loyalists of team India stood the entire day and almost night with placards, banners and sketches for their icons. The Men in Blue, adorning special jerseys, also enjoyed thoroughly with the fans, and made their day with moments of joy and celebration.
The highlight of the entire celebration was the victory parade, a spectacle of exuberance and national pride as the team, accompanied by the gleaming T20 World Cup trophy, embarked on a procession through Mumbai's streets aboard a double-decker bus.
Amidst a sea of waving flags and deafening cheers, emotions ran high among the fans, many of whom had waited more than a decade for India to reclaim its place at the pinnacle of T20 cricket. For three stalwarts of Indian cricket—Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja—it marked their final appearance in the Indian T20 jersey, symbolising the end of an era defined by their exceptional talent and unwavering dedication to the game.
Equally poignant was the farewell of their coach, Rahul Dravid, whose emotional display mirrored the sentiments of fans who had followed and supported the team's journey with unwavering loyalty and enthusiasm.
Read More: T20 World Cup 2024: Rohit Sharma conjured magic, sometimes with bat & sometimes with captaincy
Short ceremony at Wankhede
Post the grand celebrations on the roads of Mumbai, alongside the magnificent Marine Drive, the Indian team entered the iconic Wankhede stadium, where a rush of fans was already waiting to greet their stars. The Wankhede was all packed in blue, looking as if the waves of Marine Drive had reached the stadium as well.
The BCCI conducted the ceremony at the Wankhede on Thursday evening to felicitate the members of India’s T20 World Cup-winning team. The BCCI secretary Jay Shah presented an award of 125 Crore INR to the team members, while captain Rohit Sharma handed over the World Cup trophy to Jay Shah. The trophy will remain in the BCCI headquarters for the next two years. Post event, the players will leave for their respective hometowns.
Among the chants of all the players, which echoed in the stands of Wankhede, the most special one was for Hardik Pandya, who faced brickbats from the fans on his poor performance in the IPL two months back. On Thursday, fans went crazy and heaped all praises on the all-rounder, who staged a stunning comeback in the tournament as he emerged as one of the top performers for the side. Hardik produced brilliant performances - both with bat and ball - as India went on to win the marquee tournament.
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