TimesofIndia.com in Dubai: Even hours after the champagnes were popped, peppy Punjabi music reverberated in the stadium and multiple selfies were clicked, the party was not over in Dubai. The euphoria of India’s 2025 Champions Trophy win gripped the city and hundreds gathered outside the team hotel to catch a glimpse of their favourite superstar with the white coat on and the winners medal around their necks.
Deafening chants could be heard from a fair distance when Team India’s bus, escorted by police cars, reached a luxury hotel around 11pm local time in the busy neighbourhood not far away from the iconic Burj Khalifa.
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The hotel staff had their task cut out as the fans were itching to see the players but they did a commendable job in masking the passage and ensuring a seamless entry into the premises.
There were some fireworks and flower shower for the players, and within no time they reached their respective floors without the fans getting a wind of it. The chanting continued and the tri-colour was aggressively waved but the repeated pleas were not going to be heard.
“Sir, bahar bula do. Balcony mai bula do ek baar, hum tabse khade hai (sir please call them in the balcony once, we are standing for a long time),” pleaded fans to the Indian security guard stationed at the main entrance. “Oh ghar jaao bhai, ab wo aaram karege. Khaaege, peeyege, mauj karege. Ab nahi aaege (go home, they will rest now. They will eat, drink, enjoy. They won’t come now),” came the quick retort but it wasn’t convincing enough for the hundreds who were ready to camp near the drop-off zone.
Some gave up and happily went home after getting selfies with Indian cricket team fans Sudhir and Ram Babu but plenty kept lurking around the hotel for just one glimpse of the star players.
Nearly three hours had passed since the fireworks went off at the Dubai International Stadium and a big fat party got underway away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The younger lot of the team didn’t miss a beat while shaking their leg and the seniors were soaking in the moment and celebrating with their family members and loved ones.
Captain Rohit Sharma’s wife Ritika and daughter, Virat Kohli’s wife Anushka, Ravindra Jadeja’s family and Mohammed Shami’s family were all present at the ground before the presentation ceremony got underway and everyone’s mobile phone were working overtime to record these memories of a lifetime.
Away from the bunch, moments after getting the medal and white blazer, Hardik Pandya broke away from the pack and did his iconic pose with the trophy on the playing surface. He was soon joined by teammates and then everyone sat down for more pictures.
Near the boundary ropes, Gautam Gambhir indulged in the herculean task that is doing shayari with former India cricketer Navjot Singh Sidhu who even forced the head coach to do some bhangra during their brief chat.
Virat and Rohit meanwhile broke into dandiya with the stumps and the Indian captain’s two-line comment after that is going absolutely viral on social media.
There were multiple interviews which followed and a sense of satisfaction was written all over the faces of the players who gave their all in last few weeks in Dubai.
The Indian cricket team landed in Dubai on February 15 and the unbeaten run in the tournament gave them their second ICC title in two years and third Champions Trophy overall, and priceless moments.
The party would have certainly continued afterhours in the team hotel but everyone would have ensured a sound sleep before they catch the flight back home on March 10.