India's T20 World Cup-winning team donned a special 'champions' jersey to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, June 4. The orange and blue jersey featured 'Champions' written at the center and was specifically designed for this occasion. It was similar to the one worn during the World Cup in the USA and Caribbean islands, with the addition of 'champions' on their chest and an extra star above the BCCI logo, signifying India's two T20 World Cup title victories. Previously, India's T20I jersey had only one star for their win in the inaugural edition in 2007. The team added another star after claiming the title 17 years later under Rohit Sharma's leadership. India's star wicketkeeper-batter Sanju Samson shared the first glimpse of the special jersey on his social media handle.
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The players were seen leaving the ITC Maurya Hotel in their special jerseys to meet PM Modi. Notably, only the cricketers, coaches, and top BCCI officials attended the meeting with the Prime Minister, while family members stayed back at the hotel. The Rohit Sharma-led team arrived in New Delhi early Thursday morning after being stranded in the Caribbean islands following their seven-run victory over South Africa in the final on June 29 (Saturday) in Barbados. The players were unable to leave Barbados due to Hurricane Beryl, which caused a two-day shutdown of the island.
Once the airport became operational, the BCCI swiftly arranged a special charter flight to bring home the 70-member Indian contingent, including players, coaches, their families, board officials, and sports journalists. Hundreds of supporters, holding placards and waving the national flag, braved the inclement weather to wait outside the airport for the victorious team.
Throngs of enthusiastic fans packed the Indira Gandhi International Airport to celebrate Team India's return as T20 World Cup Champions. Though security was tight, it couldn't hold back the cheers as fans waved posters of their cricketing heroes - Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Rahul Dravid. Two buses awaited the team outside the terminal, ready to whisk them away to the ITC Maurya Sheraton. A vibrant welcome awaited them - the sounds of dhol beats and energetic Bhangra dancers filled the air. The celebratory spirit was infectious! Many players, including Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Suryakumar Yadav, and Rishabh Pant, joined in the dance, creating a truly unforgettable moment. Even the security personnel couldn't help but smile as the team relaxed after their long journey. They happily shook hands with fans and enjoyed a celebratory cake before heading to their rooms. The media frenzy was in full swing, capturing every detail of the team's arrival. After a short break, they embarked on a busy schedule, their first stop being a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at his residence. Waving and flashing warm smiles, the team acknowledged the dedication of their fans despite their own fatigue and excitement.
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