"The nation salutes your valour": Indian cricketers welcome Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman

Many former and present Indian cricketers took to Twitter to write heartfelt message for Abhinandan, welcoming the braveheart back to his home soil and termed it as a victory of government and Indian forces.

After a suspenseful wait lasting hours, Indian Air Force pilot Abhinandan Varthaman finally returned home from captivity in Pakistan on Friday. Abhinandan was captured on February 27 by Pakistan following a dogfight between the two air forces in which his MIG-21 was shot down.

Hoping to give a hero's welcome to Wing Commander Varthaman, thousands of Indians gathered on the border carrying the tricolour and garlands since morning.             

He finally emerged at 9.10 p.m. India time at the Wagah checkpost on the Pakistani side, accompanied by Pakistani rangers, the Indian air attache posted in the High Commission in Islamabad.

Many former and present Indian cricketers took to Twitter to write heartfelt message for Abhinandan, welcoming the braveheart back to his home soil and termed it as a victory of government and Indian forces.

Here are some Tweets…

Real Hero. I bow down to you. Jai Hind 🙏🙏🇮🇳🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/kDgocwpclA

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) March 1, 2019

#WelcomeHomeAbhinandan You rule the skies and you rule our hearts. Your courage and dignity will inspire generations to come 🇮🇳 #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/PbG385LUsE

— BCCI (@BCCI) March 1, 2019

In my time alive on this 🌎 planet, I haven’t seen a bigger hero. #WelcomeBackAbhinandan

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) March 1, 2019

🇮🇳🇮🇳 #JaiHind pic.twitter.com/jpIqzXXhT8

— Yuzvendra Chahal (@yuzi_chahal) March 1, 2019

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 🇮🇳

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) March 1, 2019

Welcome home #Abhinandanhero Real hero of our Nation.. This is where you belong..proud of you 🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️🇮🇳🇮🇳🇮🇳

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) March 1, 2019

I must say I was nervous before he returned. I am glad India got its son back!!! #Abhinanadan #AbhinanadanVarthaman pic.twitter.com/xz3XA0qElR

— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) March 1, 2019

The nation salutes your valour , selflessness and grit. #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan 🙏 pic.twitter.com/N432Qk2ajT

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) March 1, 2019

Your bravery & patriotism is an inspiration to one & all. #WelcomeHomeAbhinandan🇮🇳

— Kuldeep yadav (@imkuldeep18) March 1, 2019

We salute you sir! We are blessed to have you protect us. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳#welcomehomeabhinandan pic.twitter.com/C9VG5tnlk1

— K L Rahul (@klrahul11) March 1, 2019

(With PTI inputs)