The T20 World Cup champions returned home on Thursday to a grand welcome.
Flying back on a chartered flight from Barbados to India, Rohit Sharma and his triumphant band of boys, not to mention the Team India support staff led by outgoing coach Rahul Dravid, touched down in New Delhi early in the morning.
PM Narendra Modi interacts with Jasprit Bumrah and his family. PTI picture
Stopping at the team hotel first, they went to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence for breakfast that lasted for about two hours. Several pictures were shared from the interaction, including one where Modi was seen greeting Player of the Tournament Jasprit Bumrah, his wife Sanjana Ganesan and the couple’s infant son Angad.
A police personnel greets Indian cricketer Suryakumar Yadav at New Delhi airport. PTI picture
Pictures of Rohit enjoying a jig and Suryakumar Yadav greeting personnel on duty also did the rounds while the team made their way to Mumbai, where people lined the Marine Drive — for as long as eyes could see — waiting for the champions who had an open-top bus parade to be on. The victory parade started in the evening, and proceeded very slowly to the Wankhede for a felictation, amid a sea of people cheering the stars on.
Fans wait inside the Wankhede Stadium ahead of the team’s arrival for a felicitation ceremony after an open bus victory parade. PTI picture
At the felicitation programme, Man of the Match in Saturday’s final, Kohli mentioned how he had never seen Rohit so “emotional” in their more than a decade-old association.
The Indian cricket team with the championship trophy during their felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium. PTI picture
“This is the first time in 15 years that I have seen Rohit show so much emotion. When we were climbing those steps (at the Kensington Oval) he was crying and I was crying.” He also didn’t forget to mention Bumrah’s sensational bowling right through the tournament. “Bumrah is a once in a generation player and so glad he plays for us.” Dravid, moved by the outpouring of affection and love, added: “I am going to miss this love. What I saw on the streets tonight, I won’t forget it.”
Players of the Indian cricket team with the championship trophy acknowledge fans during their open bus victory parade in Mumbai. PTI picture
