New Delhi: Following their historic ICC Champions Trophy 2025 victory in Dubai, members of Team India have begun returning home, albeit without the elaborate celebrations that followed their T20 World Cup triumph last year. Head coach Gautam Gambhir landed in Delhi on Tuesday, while captain Rohit Sharma returned to Mumbai, with other players arriving in their respective home cities at different times.

Unlike in 2024, when the entire team returned on a charter flight for an open bus parade and grand felicitation at Wankhede Stadium, no such event is scheduled this time. The primary reason is the tight schedule, with the IPL 2025 season kicking off on March 22, leaving players with little time to celebrate before rejoining their franchises.

Why no grand celebration this time?

Tight IPL Schedule: Players have less than two weeks before the IPL begins, limiting time for extended celebrations. Several IPL franchises have already begun their pre-tournament camps.

Players opting for short breaks: Many squad members have chosen to take brief vacations before reporting to their IPL teams.

BCCI’s logistical challenges: Organising an event on the scale of the T20 World Cup victory parade requires planning, which wasn’t feasible given the quick turnaround before IPL 2025.

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Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma waves at fans on his arrival at his residence, in Mumbai. | Photo: ANI
Indian cricket team skipper Rohit Sharma waves at fans on his arrival at his residence, in Mumbai. | Photo: ANI

Franchises begin IPL 2025 preparations

  • Mumbai Indians (MI), featuring Rohit Sharma and Hardik Pandya, have already started their training sessions at Wankhede Stadium.
  • Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), with Mohammed Shami in their squad, kicked off their pre-season camp earlier this month.

India’s historic Champions Trophy win

India became the first team to win three Champions Trophy titles, clinching the 2025 final against New Zealand by four wickets at the Dubai International Stadium on Sunday.

While Team India’s Champions Trophy triumph will be remembered as another milestone in Indian cricket history, the absence of a grand homecoming celebration underscores the tight cricketing calendar. With IPL 2025 around the corner, players are quickly shifting focus from international success to franchise cricket.