Following their Champions Trophy victory in Dubai, the Indian cricketers, under the leadership of Rohit Sharma, have quietly returned home. Skipper Rohit Sharma arrived back in Mumbai on Monday night after guiding India to their second ICC title in nine months. The team members are now on a week-long break before joining their respective IPL teams as they prepare for the tournament commencing on March 22. A BCCI source informed PTI that ‘All players with their families departed from Dubai on Monday. Some players have extended their stay for a couple of days.’
Considering the players’ need for rest before the two-month-long IPL, the BCCI opted against organizing a celebratory event for the team, unlike the reception they received after winning the T20 World Cup in Barbados.
The players had previously met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi after returning from Barbados via a special flight in July.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir and fast bowler Harshit Rana reached Delhi on Monday night. Superstar Virat Kohli, along with his wife Anushka Sharma, left the team hotel immediately after the team’s return from the Dubai International Stadium late Sunday night.
Shreyas Iyer, who played a significant role in the middle order, will captain Punjab Kings and is scheduled to join the team on March 16.
India defeated New Zealand by four wickets to secure their third Champions Trophy title. They were the only undefeated team in the eight-team tournament.
Despite Pakistan being the official hosts, India played all their matches in Dubai as per the agreed hybrid model.
