India's T20 world champions finally landed in the country after a delay of more than four days, with thousands of fans braving monsoon rain to greet them.
The Indian team got stranded in Barbados, along with their family, board members and media, after Hurricane Beryl caused devastation across the Caribbean.
The Indian cricket board arranged for a chartered flight to get the contingent back home as normal services are yet to resume across the Caribbean islands.
Plane tracking website, Flightradar24, said the special Air India flight had been the "most tracked flight for much of the last 15 hours", as fans followed their team's journey back from the Caribbean.
Captain Rohit Sharma held up the World Cup trophy after arriving at New Delhi airport early Thursday morning.
Hundreds of supporters gathered at the airport, many waving the national flag.
India's delayed victory celebration will continue throughout the day. The national team will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Then, they will fly to Mumbai where an open bus parade has been scheduled in the evening. Thereafter, a celebration ceremony will take place at the the Wankhede Stadium, which is also the headquarters of the Indian cricket board.
It has been a memorable few weeks for the Indian team who ended their decade long wait for a major title in Barbados on Saturday.
There, India defeated South Africa in a sensational final by seven runs, after looking down and out.
The Proteas needed 30 runs from 30 balls with six wickets in hand before India's fast bowlers scripted a remarkable turnaround to secure victory.
Star batsman Virat Kohli top-scored in the final with 76 while all-rounder Hardik Pandya picked up three wickets. Fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh continued their excellent form in the title match.
The T20 triumph was India's first World Cup title since it won the 50-over version in 2011.
Victory also helped soothe the pain of successive final defeats over the last 12 months. India had lost the World Test Championship final to Australia in England and then the 50-over World Cup title at home, also to the Australians.
India were overwhelming favourites to win the ODI World Cup in Ahmedabad in November, but their grand victory celebrations had to be cancelled. They will now resume with the BCCI announcing a cash bonus of $15 million for the winning squad.
It also marked the beginning of a transition phase in Indian cricket. Soon after winning the title, captain Sharma, star batsman Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja announced their retirement from international T20 matches.
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India captain Rohit Sharma lifts the T20 World Cup trophy after a seven-run win over South Africa in the final at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados, on Saturday, June 29, 2024. Getty Images -
India's Virat Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma celebrate with the T20 World Cup trophy in Barbados. AFP -
India pacer Jasprit Bumrah was the player of the tournament. Reuters -
India captain Rohit Sharma celebrates after winning the T20 World Cup final against South Africa by seven runs at the Kensington Oval. Getty Images -
Hardik Pandya starred with the ball for India, picking up three wickets in a tense victory. Getty Images -
South Africa's Heinrich Klaasen smashed 52 from 27 balls and took his team close to victory. AFP -
Hardik Pandya celebrates with Virat Kohli after dismissing David Miller. Getty Images -
Virat Kohli held India's inning together with a timely knock of 76. AP -
Virat Kohli made 76 from 59 balls to help India reach 176-7. Getty Images -
Shivam Dube gave good support to Kohli, hitting 27 from 16 at the Kensington Oval in Barbados. AFP -
Anrich Nortje of South Africa celebrates after dismissing Shivam Dube. Getty Images -
Axar Patel rescued India's innings with 47 from 31 balls. AFP -
Quinton de Kock celebrates with teammates after running Axar Patel out. Getty Images -
South Africa's Keshav Maharaj dismissed India captain Rohit Sharma in his first over. AFP -
South Africa's Keshav Maharaj got Rishabh Pant out for a duck. AFP
