The victorious Indian cricket team returned on Saturday night to a tumultuous welcome at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
As soon as the team members walked out of the terminal, fans and well-wishers, waiting patiently for hours, garlanded the stars and danced in joy to the drum beats.
Among the crowd was Abid Ali, a relative of teenage fast bowling sensation Irfan Pathan. Ali has come all the way from Jodhpur, Rajasthan, to greet his cousin and the rest of the team. "We are very proud of Pathan. He has made the entire country happy with his superb performance," he said.
India created history by beating arch rivals both in the one-dayers and Tests in their own backyard, feats which no other Indian team had achieved in the last five decades.
Led by Sourav Ganguly, the triumphant cricketers enjoyed every moment of the reception as more and more people continued to pour in and join the frenzied celebration.
BJP supporters and personnel of team sponsors Sahara and tournament sponsors Samsung were also present in large numbers to welcome the heroes.
There was considerable excitement for Delhi's own hero Virender Sehwag. Amidst high decibel Bhangra beats, BJP supporters waved saffron flags and chanted the names of Sehwag and Union Minister Sahib Singh Verma. The cricketer's father has said that he will campaign for Verma for the Lok Sabha poll.
