Victorious Indian cricketers arrived here this morning to a tumultuous welcome following their triumph in the inaugural Twenty20 World Cup in Johannesburg.
Thousands of cricket fans braved rain and waited for their heroes outside the CSI airport. Maharashtra Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh, Deputy Chief Minister RR Patil, top brass of the Cricket Board, including President Sharad Pawar, Vice Presidents Lalit Modi and Rajeev Shukla, Secretary Niranjan Shah and chief selector Dilip Vengsarkar were present at the airport to receive the players.

Security arrangements had been beefed up at the airport but still the players, surrounded by policemen, had a tough time getting out and finally board the open bus.

India's Captain Cool Mahendra Singh Dhoni was the first to come out, along with Administrative Manager Sunil Dev.

Star batsman Yuvraj Singh looked little jaded but once he boarded the bus, the dashing Punjab player broke into a Bhangra and all other players looked quite relaxed.

The players, clad in white t-shirt, acknowledged the cheer of the roaring crowd and waved national flag.

The cricketers started for their 30-km journey to the Wankhede Stadium where they would be felicitated by the BCCI.

Entry to the Wankhede Stadium has been made free to enable public get a glimpse of the stars.

Tags:- Dilip Vengsarkar   Lalit Modi   Mahendra Singh Dhoni   Niranjan Shah   Rajeev Shukla   Vilasrao Deshmukh   Yuvraj Singh