Watch: PM Narendra Modi hosts T20 World Cup winning Team India, presented with special jersey

The Indian cricket team met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi upon arrival in the capital from winning the T20 World Cup. India beat South Africa in the T20 World Cup final to clinch their first ICC title in 11 years and first World Cup trophy since 2011. It was also India’s second T20 World Cup triumph after 2007.

Members of the Indian cricket team posed alongside PM Modi at his residence with the T20 World Cup trophy in hands. The team wore jerseys which said “Champions” on them.

After the meeting that also involved a breakfast, the Indian team returned to their hotel with a flight to Mumbai in the offing.

The Indian team were accompanied by BCCI secretary Jay Shah and president Roger Binny for the ceremony.

In the over an hour long meeting, the Prime Minister expressed joy over India’s win and how the team fought back in tough situations - including in the final.

PM Modi asked Rohit Sharma how the pitch tastes after the skipper was seen chewing a piece of the turf after the win. Virat Kohli, who had struggled for runs going into the final, was asked what was his thought process as he approached the big clash against South Africa. Axar Patel was asked how he felt when he was promoted up the order with the team losing three early wickets.

Suryakumar Yadav, whose sensational catch on the boundary turned out to be a decisive moment, was asked to relive those magical seven seconds.

Later, in a post on X, BCCI wrote, “The triumphant Indian Cricket Team met with the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji, at his official residence today upon arrival.

“Sir, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your inspiring words and the invaluable support you have provided to #TeamIndia

Jai Hind 🇮🇳”

The triumphant Indian Cricket Team met with the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji, at his official residence today upon arrival.

Sir, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to you for your inspiring words and the invaluable support you have provided to… pic.twitter.com/9muKYmUVkU

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 4, 2024

During the gathering, PM Modi interacted with members of the Indian team and everyone shared their experiences from the T20 World Cup.

The Prime Minister wrote on X: “An excellent meeting with our Champions! Hosted the World Cup winning team at 7, LKM and had a memorable conversation on their experiences through the tournament.”

An excellent meeting with our Champions!

Hosted the World Cup winning team at 7, LKM and had a memorable conversation on their experiences through the tournament. pic.twitter.com/roqhyQRTnn

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 4, 2024

The Indian team landed in the early hours of Thursday morning to monsoon showers, heavy security deployment and received a euphoric reception.

Hundreds of supporters, holding placards congratulated and celebrated with the team.

“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 said.

The team were unable to head back home immediately after the title win due to a shutdown forced by Hurricane Beryl in Barbados. They were held up 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 Virat Kohli, captain 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.

Jubilation in the air 🥳

The #T20WorldCup Champions have arrived in New Delhi! 🛬

Presenting raw emotions of Captain @ImRo45 -led #TeamIndia's arrival filled with celebrations 👏👏 pic.twitter.com/EYrpJehjzj

— BCCI (@BCCI) July 4, 2024

Most of them, including Rohit, all-rounder Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant, shook a leg with the assembled dancers, giving them a memory of 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 a cake that was kept ready for them.

At the airport, the players trickled out after completing immigration formalities.

#WATCH | Delhi: A supporter of the Men's Indian Cricket Team, Shubham says "I have drawn these two sketches of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. I came here at the airport around 4:30 AM just to have a glimpse of Team India with the trophy. We are all really happy..."

Team India has… pic.twitter.com/VkYIVjnnW0

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2024

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 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.

#WATCH | Delhi: A supporter of the Men's Indian Cricket Team, says "I am extremely happy and excited. I just hope to get a glimpse of the team and Captain Rohit Sharma. There is a roadshow in Mumbai in the evening today, we are all excited about that too..."

Team India has… pic.twitter.com/0lXoMkAzJp

— ANI (@ANI) July 4, 2024

“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 Indian cricket team’s busy schedule later in the day includes a flight to Mumbai to participate in an open bus victory parade followed by a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.

A similar road show was held in Mumbai 17 years ago when MS Dhoni’s team had beaten arch-rivals Pakistan in the final of the inaugural 2007 World T20 in South Africa.

(with inputs from PTI)