Mumbai: The entire country had been craving for a World Cup title, the team not having lifted a trophy since 2011 despite coming close more than once.
So when Hardik Pandya sealed a thrilling 7-run victory with a brilliant final over in the T20 World Cup final against South Africa in Bridgetown on Saturday, India was over the moon.
Just how much it meant to the team was reflected in the way they celebrated on the field. Even coach Rahul Dravid, who is not known to show his emotions, was shaking in joy, pumping his fists and jumping around with the players.
The triumph was especially special for skipper Rohit Sharma and former captain Virat Kohli, the two veterans who were on borrowed time as far as T20 Internationals are concerned.
As was expected, the two champion batters – as well as allrounder Ravindra Jadeja — announced their retirement from T20 Internationals after the final.
Vistara airline, which had the privilege of flying the team from Delhi to Mumbai on Thursday, took the chance to pay tribute to Rohit and Virat.
The airline named the call sign for the flight from Delhi to Mumbai as ‘UK1845’, which signifies the jersey numbers of Kohli and Rohit.
Kohli wears jersey No. 18 and Rohit No. 45.
The flight took off from Delhi at 2.55 pm and landed in Mumbai around 5.30 pm.
Earlier, a special charter flight – named AIC24WC (Air India Champions 24 World Cup) — brought the triumphant team from Barbados, where the contingent was stranded for three days due to Hurricane Beryl.
The team will travel on an open-top bus from Marine Drive to Wankhede Stadium, where they will be felicitated.
The team, which arrived in Delhi on Thursday morning after a 16-hour flight, received a royal welcome and also visited PM Narendra Modi’s residence at Lok Kalyan Marg.