"An Excellent meeting with our Champions!" PM Modi

Delhi:  The victorious Indian cricket team, which clinched the T20 World Cup title, returned home to a euphoric reception on Thursday. Hundreds of exuberant fans, braving the monsoon showers and heavy security deployment, gathered outside the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to welcome their heroes.

The team, which defeated South Africa by seven runs in the final in Bridgetown, Barbados, was unable to head back home immediately due to a shutdown forced by hurricane Beryl. They were finally able to take a special Air India charter flight, which arrived in Delhi at 6 am IST.As the players trickled out of the airport, they were greeted with dancing, cakes, and enthusiastic fans waving the national flag and holding placards. The weary but excited players acknowledged the crowd by waving, smiling, and even shaking a leg with traditional Bhangra dancers.

Skipper Rohit Sharma raised the coveted trophy for the fans to see, while star batter Virat Kohli gave a thumbs up to the supporters. Suryakumar Yadav, the player of the final, was the most animated in responding to the cheering.

The team then left for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's residence, where they spent close to two hours before heading back to the hotel. Later in the day, they will fly to Mumbai to participate in an open bus victory parade and a felicitation ceremony at the Wankhede Stadium.

The Indian team's triumph has ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy, with the last success coming in the 2011 ODI World Cup. Fans, who claimed to have been waiting since last night, expressed their excitement and pride in the team's achievement.

The homecoming celebrations, marked by the involvement of the fans and the government, underscore the immense popularity of cricket in India and the team's significance in the country's sporting landscape.