Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi:India captain Rohit Sharma, vice-captain Hardik Pandya, and star batter Suryakumar Yadav danced with the T20 World Cup trophy after arriving at the ITC Maurya Hotel in New Delhi on Thursday. Following a five-day wait since their victory over South Africa in the final at Kensington Oval in Barbados, the world champion Indian cricketers were greeted with a hero’s welcome upon their return home.
Frenzied crowds chanted “India, India” as the team landed in New Delhi from the Caribbean, having been delayed by Hurricane Beryl. Whistles and wild cheers echoed as the players walked out from the arrivals area, adorned with gold medals around their necks, and some giving a thumbs-up to their enthusiastic fans.
Despite monsoon rains, crowds had gathered outside New Delhi’s airport long before dawn, eager for a glimpse of their idols. Vice-captain Hardik Pandya, wearing a Caribbean hat, was the first to emerge, followed by captain Rohit Sharma, who proudly hoisted the glittering trophy into the air, drawing a massive cheer from the crowd.
Star batsman Virat Kohli, whose hometown is Delhi, received some of the loudest cheers as he waved to hundreds of fans. The team then departed the airport in buses, escorted by a convoy of police cars with wailing sirens, heading to the ITC Maurya Hotel, where special arrangements awaited them.
At the hotel, a special dancing area with dhols greeted the players. Rohit, Surya, and Hardik danced bhangra, while Kohli and coach Rahul Dravid, though not dancing, sported broad smiles. Kohli was seen giggling as Hardik showed off his dance moves.
Local hero Rishabh Pant was the first to enter the hotel, welcomed by loud cheers from fans and hotel staff. A special cake was prepared in the lobby to honor the Indian cricketers who ended India’s 13-year-long wait for a World Cup trophy.
The team is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi later on Thursday before flying to Mumbai for a victory parade in the heart of India’s financial capital. Last weekend’s win ended an 11-year global cricket trophy drought for India, following their 2013 Champions Trophy victory. Their last World Cup win was in the 2011 50-over edition under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy.
One fan held up a poster of coach Rahul Dravid, reading, “Thank you, Mr Dependable.” The final marked the last match in charge for Dravid, 51, who was lifted into the air by the team during post-match celebrations. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and allrounder Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 international cricket after the final.
