NEW DELHI: The Indian cricket team, fresh from their T20 World Cup victory in Barbados, landed in Delhi on Thursday morning after being stranded due to a category 4 hurricane. Fans gathered at the Indira Gandhi International Airport to welcome the team, who arrived on a special charter flight arranged by Air India.
The Rohit Sharma-led Indian squad captured the T20 world title, marking the country's second win in this tournament and ending an 11-year drought for an ICC trophy. The victory came after a tense seven-run win over South Africa in the final last Saturday.
The specially arranged Air India flight, designated AIC24WC for "Air India Champions 24 World Cup," departed from Bridgetown, Barbados, at approximately 4:50 am local time on Wednesday. It arrived in Delhi at 6 am IST on Thursday, completing a 16-hour nonstop journey.
Onboard the flight were the Indian team, its support staff, players' families, and several board officials, as well as members of the travelling media contingent.
The team had been unable to return immediately after their victory due to a shutdown necessitated by hurricane Beryl.
Following their arrival in Delhi, the squad is set to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 9 am at his residence.
After the meeting with the Prime Minister, the team will fly to Mumbai. There, they will participate in an open bus victory parade and be honored at a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.
