The unforgettable scenes of jubilant fans lining the streets during India’s open bus parade in Mumbai after their T20 World Cup triumph last year remain fresh in memory. Eight and a half months later, India gave the nation another reason to celebrate by winning the Champions Trophy—their first in 12 years. This historic victory, achieved by defeating New Zealand in the final in Dubai on March 9, made Rohit Sharma’s team the first Indian side to win two ICC titles in consecutive years. However, a similar grand celebration is not on the cards this time.
Unlike the T20 World Cup celebrations, no open bus parade will be held as the Indian cricketers are returning to their respective cities separately. Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya arrived to a warm welcome at Mumbai Airport on Monday night, while head coach Gautam Gambhir and fast bowler Harshit Rana landed in New Delhi. Virat Kohli is expected to return soon.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, set to begin on March 22, is the main reason for the scattered arrivals. With limited time before the tournament, players are prioritizing rest and recovery before resuming their intense training schedules.
Also read | India Wins Champions Trophy 2025: Rohit Sharma’s Men Edge Past New Zealand by 4 Wickets
“All the players with families left from Dubai on Monday. Some have chosen to stay back for a few days,” a BCCI source told PTI.
Given the players’ commitments and the upcoming IPL season, the BCCI has decided not to organize a felicitation ceremony, unlike the grand reception following the T20 World Cup victory in Barbados. Notably, no such celebration was held after India’s 2013 Champions Trophy win under MS Dhoni’s leadership, as open bus parades have historically been reserved for World Cup victories on foreign soil.
Indian captain Rohit Sharma, who played a pivotal role in the team’s triumph, arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai with his family. Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer, a key contributor to India’s middle order, will captain Punjab Kings and is set to join the franchise on March 16.
For more such latest updates, click here.
