Emotional Homecoming for Punjab's Cricket Heroes
The streets of Mohali erupted in celebration as World Cup champions Harleen Deol and Amanjot Kaur returned home to a hero's welcome on Friday. Five days after the historic victory against South Africa in Mumbai, the emotional reunion between the cricketers and their families became the perfect culmination of India's women's cricket triumph.
Airport Anticipation and Family Pride
By 8 am, Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport buzzed with excitement and anticipation. Three-year-old Parnaaz Kaur, wearing a custom T-shirt featuring her aunt Amanjot's photograph, clutched the national flag tightly while holding her father Parminder Singh's hand. The young girl excitedly announced that her aunt had won the trophy and she expected chocolates in return for her patience.
Nearby, six-year-old Amber and four-year-old Tejas eagerly awaited their aunt Harleen Deol's arrival. Their parents had spent the previous night decorating a tractor and SUV with posters of the Indian cricket team, while neighbors joined the preparations without waiting for any formal invitation.
The atmosphere carried mixed emotions for Amanjot's family. Her father Bhupinder Singh, a carpenter and contractor, repeatedly checked his phone with concern. His mother Bhagwanti Kaur remained hospitalized, anxiously waiting to see her granddaughter. Despite the worry, Bhupinder found strength in his daughter's achievement, stating that India's victory would ultimately bring the greatest happiness to his ailing mother.
Community Support and Coaching Legacy
Harleen Deol's parents, Charanjit Kaur and B S Deol, danced to traditional dhol rhythms as neighbors gathered around them. The celebration faced a brief interruption when police officials announced a flight delay due to air traffic control issues in Delhi. "Let's wait a little more," Harleen's father calmly responded, continuing to welcome visitors with folded hands.
The airport gathering included several notable figures from Punjab's sporting community. Coach Nagesh Gupta, who first identified Amanjot's talent during her school days in Sector 32, stood proudly among the crowd. "What more can a coach want than to see his ward return with a World Cup medal," he remarked softly as cameras turned toward him.
Dronacharya awardee Jiwantjot Singh Teja and former junior world boxing champion Mandeep Sandhu also joined the waiting crowd. Sandhu emphasized that Punjab's daughters had demonstrated what becomes possible when opportunity meets unwavering belief.
The Long-Awaited Reunion
After more than three hours of waiting, the moment finally arrived when Amanjot and Harleen emerged from the airport. Amanjot immediately touched her grandfather's feet before embracing her siblings, while Harleen found herself wrapped in her mother's emotional embrace. Her elder brother, Dr Manjot Singh, struggled to hold back tears of pride and joy.
Security personnel guided the players toward open-top SUVs waiting outside as the crowd's cheers grew increasingly louder. "It feels like the whole of Punjab is here," Harleen exclaimed, overwhelmed by the reception. "To return home with this medal and into these arms is overwhelming."
In the second vehicle, Amanjot specifically called out to her coach and requested he stand beside her. "This medal is as much his as mine," she declared. "Families and coaches are the foundation of our journey."
As the victory procession moved toward Mohali, even traffic police officers paused their duties to capture the historic moment on their phones.
Home Celebrations and Championship Memories
At Harleen Deol's home in Sector 80, neighbors had been waiting for hours to celebrate their local hero. When asked about the tournament's turning point, Harleen immediately pointed to Amanjot's crucial catch of Laura Wolvaardt as the moment when the team truly believed victory was within their grasp.
Harleen also shared a lighthearted anecdote about her widely discussed interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "Yes, I asked him about his skincare routine," she confirmed with laughter. "He smiled and responded. He has always encouraged the women's team."
Family First: A Hospital Visit Before Celebration
Before heading to her own home celebrations, Amanjot made a direct visit to the hospital where her grandmother remained under care. Her father emotionally described their relationship: "Amanjot is like oxygen for her and she is oxygen for Amanjot. Seeing each other today is the real victory."
When Amanjot eventually reached her neighborhood, even the catering staff at the local park temporarily paused their work to request selfies with the champion cricketer. Sitting with her dog Laxie in her lap, Amanjot reflected on the Prime Minister's specific mention of her match-winning catch, comparing it to Surya Kumar Yadav's famous T20 final catch from the previous year.
Outside, her mother Ranjit Kaur joined relatives for a brief dance before returning to the hospital, acknowledging that her mother-in-law's blessings had played a crucial role in Amanjot's success.
Meanwhile, young Parnaaz finally received the chocolates she had been anticipating, happily declaring that her aunt hadn't forgotten her promise while sporting a chocolate-smeared smile.
In Mohali, the celebrations transcended mere spectacle, embodying the pure essence of love, pride, and the profound joy of a community welcoming home its heroes.
