THE TIMES OF INDIA | Jul 04, 2024, 22:03:45 IST
T20 World Champion Team India Victory Parade Live Updates: Exuberant fans followed them despite monsoon showers and heavy security deployment before Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the red carpet for a breakfast meet as the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricketers returned home to a euphoric reception, on Thursday.
Hundreds of supporters, holding placards congratulating their favourites and waving the national flag, braved the inclement weather to wait outside the airport for the victorious side, which defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown on Saturday last week.
There was dancing, there were multiple cakes, and there were fans on streets showing just why cricket is the most passionately followed sport in the country. The weary players joined in the fun after arriving at the hotel from airport to complete the party atmosphere.
“We have waited for this moment for the past 13 years. The team has made us proud by winning the World Cup,” a fan, who claimed to have been waiting since 4:30am in the morning said, referring to India’s last World Cup triumph which came back in 2011.
The side was unable to head back home immediately after the title win due to a shutdown forced by hurricane Beryl in Barbados. They were cocooned in their hotel before the BCCI secretary Jay Shah made arrangements for a special charter flight.
The Air India special charter flight AIC24WC — Air India Champions 24 World Cup — which left Barbados around 4:50am local time on Wednesday arrived in Delhi at 6am (IST) on Thursday after a 16-hour non-stop journey.
Heavy security was deployed to keep the crowd in check at the Indira Gandhi International airport but that did little to dampen the spirits as fans cheered enthusiastically holding up posters of star batter Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit Sharma and outgoing head coach Rahul Dravid.
Two buses were stationed outside the T3 Terminal to ferry the players to ITC Maurya Sheraton, where they were greeted by dhol and traditional Bhangra dancers.
Most of them, including skipper Rohit Sharma, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant, shook a leg with the assembled dancers, giving them a memory that would last a lifetime.
Even the on-duty security personnel had smiles on their faces as the players let their hair down after the long journey, shook hands with everyone who wanted to and moved into their rooms after cutting yet another cake that was kept ready for them.
All of this unfolded amid expected media frenzy. A brief while later, they left to meet Modi at his official residence, continuing a hectic schedule that awaits them through the day.
They spent close to two hours at the 7, Lok Kalyan Marg residence of the Prime Minister before heading back to the hotel.
Earlier, at the airport, the players trickled out in ones and twos after completing immigration formalities.
Tired but excited, they acknowledged the waiting fans by waving at them and flashing warm smiles.
Suryakumar, who took the sensational match-winning catch of David Miller in the final, was the most animated in responding to the cheering.
Pant, who returned to international cricket at the just-concluded event after a life-threatening car accident, saluted the gathered crowd, while pacer Mohammed Siraj blew flying kisses in their direction.
Rohit and Player of the Final Kohli, both of whom retired from T20Is at the end of India’s campaign, were among the last to come out of the VIP exit.
Rohit raised the coveted trophy for the fans to catch a glimpse before boarding the bus. Kohli, on his part, gave a thumbs up to acknowledge the support.
In their excitement to see their heroes in person, some fans claimed that they had been waiting outside the airport since last night.
“We have been here since last night. It was very important for us to win this World Cup after losing the ODI World Cup last year,” a group of fans said.
The squad won the country its second T20 world title, ending an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, on Saturday.
A beautiful pic of Mumbai’s Marine Drive with Team India fans!
An evening to remember forever…
BCCI officials hand Team India players a cheque of Rs 125 crore!
Time for the victory lap!
With T20 World Cup trophy in hands, Virat Kohli leads Team India’s way in victory lap. Smiles all around as players wave at the fans. Emotional fans can be seen waving back at the players with India flag in hands.
The Team India players can now be seen signing match balls and throwing them towards the fans.
Team India Victory Parade Live: BCCI President Roger Binny, secretary Jay Shah present the Rs 125 crore prize money to the Indian team.
Never seen something like this. Will never forget these memories I have now – Jasprit Bumrah
The only goal is Indian cricket and Indian flag – Virat Kohli
No better place to come back. The last time we won was also in Wankhede. Love the crowd here – Virat Kohli
After the game, I knew it, it was time for me to quit – Virat Kohli
A big thank you to all the fans. It has been something that I will never forget – Virat Kohli
I wasn’t sure on continuing after 50-over World Cup. Rohit called and said let’s have one more crack. Truly grateful! One of the best phone calls I have received in my life – Rahul Dravid
Don’t missanything!
Subscribe to our newsletter and get all the stories that matter delivered to your inbox
Invalid id. Please enter again
This team is like a family. Incredible what the boys have done. They showed ‘Never Say Die’ attitude. Fantastically led by Rohit Sharma – Head coach Rahul Dravid
Wankhede crowd – Hardik, Hardik, Hardik….!!!!
This is a special team, I am so lucky to lead this team – Rohit Sharma
It was a wonderful experience to meet PM Modi with the team. On behalf of team, fans, I want to thank the entire nation – Rohit Sharma
Since the time we have come to India, it has been wonderful. This trophy is for entire nation – Rohit Sharma
Team India Victory Parade Live: India players to berserk at Wankhede
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Rishabh Pant gets emotional at victory parade!
Team India Victory Parade Live: Emotional Rahul Dravid seen acknowledging the fans at victory parade
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Rohit, Kohli and other India players having a gala time at Wankhede, seen dancing together
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Team India’s victory parade to celebrate T20 World Cup triumph concludes at Wankhede Stadium
Team India Victory Parade Live: Celebrating India greatest moments ever, Team India has finally reached the Wankhede Stadium.
Team India Victory Parade Live: BCCI salutes fans for their support
Team India Victory Parade Live: Team India’s march towards Wankhede continues amid cheers from the fans
Team India Victory Parade Live: A dream come true for the players and fans
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Crazy scenes as Rohit, Virat seen raising T20 World Cup title together
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Superstar Virat Kohli acknowledges love of fans at victory parade
Team India Victory Parade Live: Animated BCCI secretary Jay Shah with T20 World Cup title in parade.
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Crazy scenes at Marine Drive as Team India heads towards Wankhede
Team India Victory Parade Live: Team India players taking turns to hold the trophy
Team India Victory Parade Live: Sea of Blue at Marine Drive!
Team India Victory Parade Live: Champions’ victory parade
Team India Victory Parade Live: Champions flaunting the World Cup!
The traffic has come to standstill at the Marine Drive in Mumbai amid India’s victorious parade. Fans can be seen taking pictures of the champions on bus. Some of them have even climbed on trees to get a closer look.
Team India Victory Parade Live: Siraj has the trophy and every time he holds it up, there is a huge roar from the fans. Team India is surrounded by immense love and energy on their way to the Wankhede!
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Team India stars can be seen donning the ‘Champions’ jersey. Huge roars from the fans as India players wave out at them. Crazy scenes!
Team India Victory Parade Live: Crowd erupts in cheers as Team India begin their parade at Mumbai’s Marine Drive.
Team India Victory Parade Live: Hardik’s grand return to Mumbai!
Team India Victory Parade Live: Taking care of a trophy like a baby
Team India Victory Parade Live: Red carpet welcome for Team India in Mumbai
Team India arrived at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai on Thursday evening to a heroic welcome after bagging the T20 World Cup title.
Despite overcast skies, thousands of thrilled Mumbaikars erupted into cheers as a Vistara aircraft carrying the team landed.
The celebrations started with a Guard of Honour at the airside, and ‘Follow Me’ cars escorting the team aircraft to the airport terminal stand. There, it was accorded a special ‘Water Salute’ after which the team alighted from the plane, they walked through the Indian Tricolour draped aerobridge, and all the team-members were greeted with a floral cascade showered on them in the arrival corridor.
The airport rolled out the red carpet for the Men In Blue, followed by a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony at the terminal adorned with shades of the tricolour.
The team members rode in beautifully decorated buggies, and outside there was the sound of the traditional Maharashtrian dhol-tasha, tutari and lezim, making the arrival truly grand and a sight of national pride and happiness.
The CSMIA’s top management felicitated the team members and escorted them with thunderous cheers outside, where more people were waiting to give them a grand reception and hearty welcome.
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: All Smiles!
Team India Victory Parade Live: Mumbaikars await Team India superstars
Thousands of excited fans and cricket lovers lined up on the 1-km picturesque Marine Drive route from Nariman Point to Wankhede Statium near Churchgate to accord a grand welcome to Team India, which landed in Mumbai on Thursday evening.
The entire stretch from Nariman Point to Churchgate was chock-a-block with fans, and the Wankhede Stadium reverberated with thunderous slogans and cheers from the crowd assembled there since afternoon.
The roads to and from Nariman Point and Churchgate areas experienced huge traffic snarls in the evening peak hours as an enthusiastic sea of humanity comprising men, women, youngsters and even many senior citizens gathered on the Arabian Sea shores for the big occasion.
Landing at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Team India’s Vistara flight from Delhi to Mumbai was accorded a ‘water salute’ in celebration of the T-20 World Cup victory.
From there, the team-members are expected to proceed to south Mumbai for the victory parade atop an open-deck bus specially brought here from Gujarat to take the Men In Blue for a right royal ride.
The bus had undergone extensive make-up for the momentous occasion in a livery of Team India colours, photos of the World Cup and cricket icons.
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Mumbai Police’s traffic advisory
Team India Victory Parade Live: Heartwarming gesture at airport for the champions!
Team India T20 World Cup Celebration Live: Visuals of Rohit Sharma and Co. arriving in Mumbai
Discover more from CaveNews Times
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.