Indian cricket team’s arrival and meeting with PM Modi after winning the 2024 T20 World Cup
The Indian cricket team returned home to a hero’s welcome on Thursday, July 4th, 2024 after winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados. The Men in Blue defeated South Africa by 7 runs in a thrilling final on June 29th to capture their second T20 World title.
Upon arriving at Delhi airport, the team was greeted by exuberant fans braving monsoon showers to catch a glimpse of their champions. Despite heavy security, supporters danced, held up congratulatory signs, and waved the Indian flag to celebrate the team’s achievement.
The players joined in the festivities after reaching their hotel, with one fan remarking “We have waited for this month for the past 13 years. The team has made us proud by winning the World Cup”. India last won the T20 World Cup in 2011.
The team’s return was delayed by several days due to a category 4 hurricane that hit Barbados. The squad, support staff, and media were stranded at their hotel before BCCI secretary Jay Shah arranged a special charter flight to bring them home.
After resting at the ITC Maurya Hotel, the team headed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg for a special meeting. PM Modi warmly welcomed the champions, sitting in a circle with the players.
Highlights of PM Modi’s Meeting with Team India
- PM Modi sat in the center of the circle, with captain Rohit Sharma to his right and head coach Rahul Dravid to his left.
- Vice-Captain Hardik Pandya sat next to Rohit, while star batters Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah were seated to Dravid’s left.
- PM Modi candidly chatted and laughed with all the players, posing for photos with the team and trophy.
- The meeting lasted nearly two hours before the team headed back to their hotel.
After the meeting, the team flew to Mumbai where a grand victory parade was held through the city streets. Thousands of fans lined the route to celebrate the team’s achievement. The parade culminated in a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.
T20 World Cup final match India vs South Africa
The victory parade in Mumbai held special significance for captain Rohit Sharma, who is a Mumbai native and hugely popular in the city. A similar parade was held in Mumbai 17 years ago after India won the inaugural 2007 T20 World Cup.
Key Performers in India’s T20 World Cup Triumph
- Virat Kohli: Finished as the tournament’s leading run-scorer with 379 runs at an average of 94.75.
- Hardik Pandya: Scored 288 runs and took 8 wickets, winning Player of the Match awards in the semi-final and final
- Suryakumar Yadav: Scored 239 runs at a strike rate of 193.54, the highest in the tournament
- Arshdeep Singh: Took 14 wickets at an average of 13.07, the best bowling average in the tournament
- Ravichandran Ashwin: Took 12 wickets and scored 81 runs, including a crucial 30* in the final
The team’s triumph was a culmination of years of hard work and preparation. Coach Rahul Dravid and Captain Rohit Sharma have built a formidable squad with a mix of experienced stars and exciting young talent. The victory is a testament to their leadership and the team’s ability to perform under pressure.
India’s triumph is also a major boost for the sport in the country. Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India, with millions of passionate fans. The team’s success will inspire the next generation of cricketers and further cement India’s status as a cricketing powerhouse.
The players now head into a well-deserved break before turning their attention to future challenges. The 2023 ODI World Cup in India will be the next major target, with the team determined to complete a rare double. Fans will be eagerly awaiting the team’s return to action, hoping to see more heroics from their champions.
The 2024 T20 World Cup triumph will go down as one of the greatest moments in Indian cricket history. The team’s journey to glory, from the heartbreak of the 2023 ODI World Cup final to the ultimate redemption in Barbados, is a story of resilience, skill, and sheer determination. The players have etched their names in the history books and will forever be remembered as legends of the game.
As the celebrations wind down and the team looks ahead to future challenges, one thing is certain the 2024 T20 World Cup champions have captured the hearts of a billion fans and made the entire nation proud. The journey to the top has been long and arduous, but the view from the summit is truly special. The Indian cricket team has reached the pinnacle of their sport, and they have done it in style.
