Hurricane Beryl disrupts champions' homecoming
After lifting the T20 World Cup title after a gap of over a decade, the Indian cricket team is still celebrating. It was the fourth-biggest ICC title for the Indian team overall. Before this, they had won two 50-over World Cups and one T20 World Cup. Hundreds of millions of Indian fans are waiting for the team to return home. But hurricane Beryl has hampered their festivities and delayed their return home.
CNN reported that Hurricane Beryl is the first big storm of the 2024 Atlantic season. It has intensified into a Category 4 hurricane, which is considered dangerous. As of Sunday, it had sustained winds of 130 miles per hour and made its way to the Caribbean.
Indian media reports indicate that the Indian team, comprising approximately 70 people- players, family members, and staff, had initially planned to travel from Barbados to New York, and then on to New Delhi.
Unfortunately, the Caribbean island lacks an aircraft capable of accommodating such a large group. As a result, the BCCI is tasked with arranging a flight that can carry all 70 members. It, as of July 1 afternoon in India, remains unclear when the Indian team will secure a suitable aircraft and subsequently arrive in New Delhi. Meanwhile, Indian fans have been jubilantly celebrating the elusive World Cup victory, considering it a new era for Indian cricket.
Following the win, star batter Virat Kohli, who played a crucial role in the final, announced his retirement from the format. Shortly after, Rohit Sharma, the Indian T20I captain, also bid farewell to T20I cricket, both citing the desire for fresh talent to get more opportunities.
While this was Virat's second World Cup title, having previously won the 50-over World Cup in 2011, it was Rohit's first. This victory also marked the first World Cup for Rahul Dravid, who coached the Indian team throughout the tournament and concluded his coaching stint with this win.
India defeated South Africa, who had reached the final of an ICC event for the first time, to secure their second T20 World Cup title. Virat Kohli and Jasprit Bumrah were instrumental in the team's triumphant victory.