Deccan Chargers

Chargers return home to rousing welcome

Deccan Chargers, the winners of the second edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in South Africa, arrived here on Wednesday night to a rousing welcome from fans.

The fans were, however, disappointed a bit as only three players – Tirumalsetti Suman, Harmeet Singh and Shoaib Ahmed – arrived at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport. The crowd was hoping to catch a glimpse of captain Adam Gilchrist, Andrew Symonds, Herschelle Gibbs, R.P. Singh and Rohit Sharma, who played key roles in the team’s victory. Holding the IPL trophy and the winner’s cheque, the three players came out of the airport building amid utter chaos.

The team management said the foreign players went back to their respective countries while R.P. Singh, Rohit Sharma and others headed for Mumbai to join the Indian team for next month’s Twenty20 World Cup. Talking to reporters at the airport, Suman said the team played good cricket. “The final was amazing. It was a close match and we enjoyed a lot,” said the Hyderabadi batsman. “We had not set any target. We were taking it game by game,” said Ahmed, another local player. He said playing under Gilchrist and with the likes of Symonds and Gibbs had helped them a lot in improving their skills.

The three members of the victorious team stood on a special vehicle with the trophy as they reached a hotel.

Tags: Deccan Chargers, IPL