21 January,2021 09:45 AM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Ajinkya Rahane, Ravi Shastri, Rohit Sharma at Mumbai international airport. Pictures/ Pradeep Dhivar
Indian cricket team stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane and star batsman Rohit Sharma arrived in the city following their tour in Australia today.
Ajinkya Rahane led the Indian cricket team to a historic 2-1 win in the four-match Test series against the Aussies. Team India won the fourth and final Test at The Gabba in historic fashion by 3 wickets after they lost the first Test, won the second Test and drew the third.
The Gabba, which was also known as a fortress of the Australian team, was breached thanks to a superlative performance by Team India in what could be called as one of the most memorable Tests played. The Aussies were defeated at the Gabba for the first time since 1988.
MCA president Dr Vijay Patil also felicitated India skipper Ajinkya Rahane, vice-captain Rohit Sharma and other Mumbai cricketers Shardul Thakur, Prithvi Shaw and head coach Ravi Shastri as they returned back home to Mumbai post the Australia tour.
The MCA also presented captain Rahane with a cake for his historic Test series win Down Under. Check out the video below.
In celebration of his epic win, a rangoli design was created in the building where Ajinkya Rahane resides.
Picture/ mid-day reader Shripal Sangvi
It was also learnt that the government of Maharashtra decided to exempt the Indian team from the seven-day quarantine if everyone tests negative for COVID-19.
Picture/ mid-day reader Shripal Sangvi
The players have to reportedly reassemble on January 27 in Chennai and go into another bio-secure bubble before the England series kicks off on February 5. Chepauk will host the first two Tests, while Ahmedabad's brand new Motera Stadium will host the remaining two Tests. The Indian team is returning from Australia via Dubai and recently there have been reports of people coming from UAE preferring to land in other cities and then returning to Mumbai via domestic flights to avoid the quarantine situation here.
Watch the entire video of Indian cricketers arriving to a warm welcome in Mumbai below.
