Indian Cricket Team Celebrates T20 World Cup Victory on Return Flight

Historical Context: The Indian cricket team’s victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 marks a significant milestone in the history of Indian cricket. This triumph comes 13 years after their last World Cup win and 11 years since their last ICC trophy, highlighting a period of perseverance and resilience. The victory is reminiscent of India’s previous World Cup wins under the leadership of Kapil Dev in 1983 and MS Dhoni in 2007 and 2011, adding another chapter to India’s rich cricketing legacy.

Article: Nearly five days have passed since the Indian cricket team, led by Rohit Sharma, clinched the T20 World Cup 2024 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados by defeating South Africa in a thrilling final. This victory ended a 13-year-long wait for a World Cup trophy and marked India’s first ICC trophy in 11 years, following numerous near-misses and heartbreaks.

The celebrations began in Barbados, where the team partied all night at their hotel. However, the excitement continued as the team returned home. Due to Hurricane Beryl, the team, along with support staff, family members, and BCCI officials, were stranded in Barbados. They finally departed on a special Air India flight arranged by the BCCI, which landed in New Delhi at 6:10 am on Thursday.

Upon arrival, the BCCI shared a video of the players unboxing the T20 World Cup trophy. Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Shivam Dube, Jasprit Bumrah, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj, and Ravindra Jadeja were seen celebrating with the trophy. For Rohit Sharma, this victory was particularly special as it was his last attempt at winning a T20 World Cup, making him the third Indian captain to win a World Cup after Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.

Hundreds of fans, braving a steady drizzle, gathered outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport to welcome the victorious team, holding placards and waving the national flag.

The Air India special charter flight, named AIC24WC (Air India Champions 24 World Cup), took off from Bridgetown, Barbados at 4:50 am local time on Wednesday and arrived in Delhi after a 16-hour non-stop journey. The flight carried the Indian squad, support staff, players’ families, board officials, and members of the travelling media contingent.

The team, after arriving in Delhi, headed to ITC Maurya, where special arrangements were made to welcome them. They are scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for breakfast before flying to Mumbai for an open bus victory parade and a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.

Summary in Bullet Points:

• Indian cricket team won the T20 World Cup 2024, defeating South Africa in the final.
• This victory ended a 13-year wait for a World Cup trophy and an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy.
• Celebrations began in Barbados and continued on the return flight to India.
• The team was stranded in Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl but returned on a special Air India flight.
• BCCI shared a video of players unboxing and celebrating with the trophy upon arrival in New Delhi.
• Rohit Sharma became the third Indian captain to win a World Cup, following Kapil Dev and MS Dhoni.
• Hundreds of fans welcomed the team at the Indira Gandhi International Airport.
• The team is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and participate in a victory parade and felicitation ceremony in Mumbai.