India won the T20 World Cup 2024 in Barbados on June 29 by defeating South Africa in the final. However, their return to India was delayed for three days due to cyclone Beryl wreaking havoc on the coast of Barbados.
The Indian team had finally won an ICC title for the first time since 2013 and joined England and West Indies as two-time T20 World Cup winners. India also became the only team to win the ICC World Cup, the Champions Trophy and the T20 World Cup two-times each.
With Indian players waiting to get back to their homes, BCCI arranged a chartered flight AIC24WC which carried not only the Team India contingent but also Indian journalists and Star Sports personnel as well.
The flight from Barbados to Delhi took 16 hours reaching the India capital on July 4.
Meanwhile, a Star Sports producer who was traveling with the squad disclosed a few new and interesting details, including the team's mood. He also explained why Rahul Dravid moved from the business to the economy class.
"On this flight, Barbados to Delhi, I think hardly anyone slept for more than six hours. That would have been the maximum. At no point was anyone quiet. Everyone was mingling around. Players came to meet the members of the press and a few others. Star Sports engineers were also part of the flight because theirs was canceled and they were also accommodated.
But there was a lot of interaction. Rohit Sharma came several times. I believe at one moment, Rahul Dravid came up to the economy section to figure out if there was a 4-seater because he wanted to sleep. He came there from the business class and slept there for some time," the producer stated as per Hindustan Times.
He also revealed that he saw Rohit Sharma scolding someone only to learn he was joking as he reflected on how the Indian players dealt with the media during the voyage.
"I remember I was sleeping and I could suddenly hear Rohit scolding somebody. I saw and he was standing right there. But Rohit, in his style was scolding jokingly. After that, Hardik came, Rishabh came and they were all having discussions with the media. So obviously, there was a lot of chatter" the producer concluded.
