World T20 champs feted in victory parade in Mumbai

EW DELHI — India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on Saturday at the Kensington Oval in Barbados, and celebrations ensued back home. But the team’s return from the Caribbean was delayed because of a shutdown forced by Hurricane Beryl.

The victorious squad finally landed in New Delhi early Thursday, after getting on a charter flight from Grantley Adams International Airport. They met Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence and later left for Mumbai.

There, tens of thousands of jubilant fans poured onto Mumbai’s Marine Drive to cheer the new world cricket champions.

India’s victory over South Africa marked their first world cricket title in 13 years.

Skipper Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya held the coveted trophy in an open bus convoy to Wankhede stadium, where they were to participate in celebrations organised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India.

Fans danced, waved the India flag, and flashed smartphone lights after waiting for hours to glimpse Sharma, Virat Kohli and the other cricket stars.

Hundreds of supporters were gathered at New Delhi International Airport, many of them chanting “India, India” as the players came out and boarded a bus.

There were hundreds more waiting at the hotel to continue the celebrations, which started on Saturday as soon as the final was won. Some of the players danced to drum beats when they reached their hotel.

“It’s a lifetime experience,” cricket official Arun Dhumal said.

The T20 triumph was India’s first World Cup title since 2011, when it won the 50-over version.

The BCCI has announced a cash bonus of 1.25 billion rupees ($15 million) for the winning squad.

Soon after winning the title, Sharma, Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from T20 internationals.

(AP)