After Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, captured by Pakistan following an air encounter between the countries on Wednesday, returned to India on Friday, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and sports fraternity took to Twitter to welcome the Wing Commander. The BCCI posted a special message for the IAF pilot on their official Twitter handle with his name engraved on a Team India jersey.
“#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan You rule the skies and you rule our hearts. Your courage and dignity will inspire generations to come #TeamIndia,” the BCCI tweeted.
Legendary Sachin Tendulkar also welcomed the brave pilot and tweeted, “A hero is more than just four letters. Through his courage, selflessness and perseverance, OUR HERO teaches us to have faith in ourselves. #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan Jai Hind.”
Team India’s skipper Virat Kohli, who will be leading the national team in the first of five-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia on Saturday, tweeted, “Real Hero. I bow down to you. Jai Hind”.
Former India coach, Anil Kumble said in a tweet, “We salute your bravery #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan.”
