NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team finally embarked on their journey back to Delhi on a chartered flight from Barbados' Grantley Adams International Airport on Wednesday. The team had been stranded for three days due to a category 4 hurricane after winning the T20 World Cup, beating South Africa in the title clash in Barbados.
The special Air India charter flight, designated AIC24WC -- "Air India Champions 24 World Cup" -- took off around 4:50 am local time and is expected to touch down in the Indian capital on Thursday at approximately 6:20 am (IST).
Captain Rohit Sharma shared a photo on Instagram, posing with the trophy inside the aircraft, captioned "Coming home."
The flight, arranged by the BCCI, carries the Indian squad, support staff, players' families, board officials, and members of the travelling media. The Rohit Sharma-led team clinched the title after a thrilling seven-run victory over South Africa in the final on Saturday.
1/10:T20 World Cup: India's celebration as they become World Champions
Reuters
2/10:Rahul Dravid
<p>In 2007, under Rahul Dravid's captaincy, India lost to Bangladesh and were knocked out of the ODI World Cup. However, Rahul Dravid returned as a coach to the West Indies, where his Indian team became the only team to lift the T20 World Cup trophy without any defeat.</p>Reuters
3/10:Rohit Sharma
<p>Indian skipper Rohit Sharma became the only Indian to win two T20 world cups. </p>AFP
4/10:Jay Shah and Rohit Sharma
<p>BCCI Secretary Jay Shah's prediction of Indian skipper Rohit Sharma lifting the World Cup trophy came true, as they were seen together celebrating the victory.</p>
5/10:Suryakumar Yadav
<p>Suryakumar's outstanding catch on the boundary rope to dismiss David Miller will always be remembered, as it played a crucial role in helping the team get closer to securing the trophy in a pressure situation. <br /></p>Reuters
6/10:Jay Shah and Rahul Dravid
<p>BCCI Secretary bids farewell to Indian coach Rahul Dravid after the final match of the t20 world cup</p><br />
7/10:Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya
<p>Captain and vice captain could not hold back their emotions as they have ended India's ICC trophy draught after 11 years.</p>ANI
8/10:Mohammed Siraj
<p>India pacer Mohammed Siraj celebrated India's T20 World Cup victory in Barbados, proudly waving the tricolour in celebration.<br /></p>Reuters
9/10:Jay Shah and Virat Kohli
<p>BCCI Secretary Jay Shah congratulates Virat Kohli on winning all the ICC white ball trophy. Virat Kohli has now won ICC ODI World Cup, Champions trophy and T20 World Cup.</p>
10/10:Rishabh Pant
<p>Rishabh Pant made a remarkable return to the national side after a life-threatening accident, playing a pivotal role in India's T20 World Cup triumph with crucial runs and spectacular wicketkeeping skills.<br /></p>ReutersThe Boeing 777, which originated from New Jersey, USA on July 2, landed in Barbados around 2 am local time. Airport staff remarked that they had never seen a larger aircraft land at Grantley Adams International Airport, which resumed operations on Tuesday.
Initially, the Indian team was set to depart around 6 pm local time on July 2 and arrive in India at 7:45 pm (IST) on Wednesday. However, the departure was delayed due to the late arrival of the plane.
Upon their return, the players are scheduled to be honored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi within hours of landing in the country. Additionally, plans are being made for a road-show in Mumbai to celebrate the triumphant team, which ended an 11-year trophy drought.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Beryl is now moving towards Jamaica.
