What is the schedule of the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team for July 4?
After being stuck in Barbados for a few days due to Hurricane Beryl, Team India's 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad finally left for their homeland on Wednesday, July 3. According to reports, the players flew off from Barbados on early Wednesday morning [approximately 4:30 AM local time] and are expected to land in Delhi at 6 AM IST on Thursday, July 4 if there are no further delays.
The Men in Blue created history in the Caribbean by becoming the first team to win a Men’s T20 World Cup without losing a single match. They began their campaign with three consecutive wins in the group stage and cruised through the Super 8 round before defeating England in the semifinal and South Africa in the final.
A number of events have been lined up for the victorious Indian cricket team on their arrival in the country on Thursday. Here's a lowdown.
Indian 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad to meet PM Narendra Modi
After landing in Delhi on Thursday morning via a special Air India flight with call sign AIC24WC, the members of the 2024 T20 World Cup-winning squad will head to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has organized a reception for the team at his residence at 11 am.
Following India's win in the ICC event, Modi shared a video message, congratulating the entire team. Later, he also shared special posts for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Rahul Dravid and Ravindra Jadeja. While Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja have retired from T20Is, the World Cup was Dravid's last assignment as Team India's head coach.
Team India to hold victory parade in Mumbai
Following the meeting with PM Modi, the T20 World Cup-winning India squad will travel to Mumbai on a special flight. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed the same to news agency ANI. In Mumbai, Team India members will hold a victory parade in Marine Drive and Wankhede Stadium from 5:00 PM onwards.
Sharing a post on the same, Indian captain Rohit said:
"🇮🇳, we want to enjoy this special moment with all of you. So let’s celebrate this win with a victory parade at Marine Drive & Wankhede on July 4th from 5:00pm onwards. It’s coming home ❤️🏆."
Indian fans will recall that a similar victory parade was held in Mumbai after the Men in Blue won the inaugural T20 World Cup in 2007 in South Africa.
Felicitation ceremony at Wankhede Stadium
Following the victory parade, the Indian contingent, including the players, the coaches, and the support staff will be felicitated and awarded the ₹125 crore cash prize announced by the BCCI. Indian cricket board president Jay Shah announced the windfall for the Indian team after their T20 World Cup win.
Meanwhile, in a praiseworthy gesture, the BCCI is also bringing back members of the Indian media, who were stranded in Barbados, on the same flight as the players and the support staff.