The Indian men’s cricket team, triumphant after winning the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, returned to a grand welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi early Thursday morning. The team, led by captain Rohit Sharma, was flown back on a specially-arranged charter flight, and upon arrival, they were greeted by a throng of enthusiastic fans.
Special ‘Trophy’ Cake at ITC Maurya Hotel
A special cake, designed to resemble the World Cup trophy, awaited the champions at the ITC Maurya Hotel. Shivneet Pahoja, the Executive Chef at ITC Maurya, spoke to ANI about the unique creation. “The cake is in the color of the team’s jersey. Its highlight is this trophy, which looks like an actual trophy but is made out of chocolate. This is our welcome to the winning team. We have also arranged a special breakfast for them,” he said.
Grand Welcome at the Airport
Despite heavy security at the airport to manage the crowd, the fans’ excitement was palpable. They held posters of star players like Virat Kohli, captain Rohit Sharma, and outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid, cheering loudly as the team made their way through the terminal. The team then proceeded to ITC Maurya Hotel, where the special cake and a grand breakfast awaited them.
Meeting with Prime Minister Modi
After their brief stay at the hotel, the team is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The meeting will take place at the PM’s office, where a special function is organized to honor their victory. Following the meeting, the team will board a special flight to Mumbai for a victory parade.
Victory Parade in Mumbai
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has organized a victory parade in Mumbai. The team will travel from Nariman Point to Wankhede Stadium, a 1 km route, in an open bus parade. This parade is expected to be a massive celebration, with fans encouraged to join and cheer for the champions. A small ceremony at Wankhede Stadium will conclude the parade. BCCI secretary Jay Shah and Rohit Sharma posted on social media, urging fans to participate in the celebration.
Historic Win
India’s win in the T20 World Cup 2024 marks their second T20 World Cup title, ending an 11-year drought for an ICC trophy. Their previous ICC title was in 2013 when they won the Champions Trophy under Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s captaincy. This victory adds to India’s illustrious history in World Cup tournaments, having won the ODI World Cup in 1983 and 2011, and the T20 World Cup in 2007.
Fans’ Excitement
The excitement among fans is reminiscent of the celebrations 17 years ago when Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s team won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007. The current victory parade is expected to draw huge crowds, showcasing the nation’s pride and joy in their cricket team’s success.
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