Skipper Dravid, Kumble, Uthappa arrive home

Bangalore, Mar 29 (UNI) Team India skipper Rahul Dravid arrived here from Mumbai alongwith team mates Anil Kumble and Robin Uthappa in the early hours today amid tight security at the airport.

The players arrived from London, where they stayed for a couple of days, after being ousted from the World Cup in the league stage itself, India tasted a humiliating defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in their first encounter and against Sri Lanka in the do-or-die final league match. Team India's record win against Bermuda went in vain as the team failed to make it to Super Eight stage.

Widespread protests were witnessed in the city immediately after team's ouster from the World Cup following which the security has been beefed up to ensure safety of players.

Dravid's wife Vijeta and Uthappa's parents were present at the airport.

The trio were whisked away in different cars to their destinations from VIP gate.

Except for a few passengers who eagerly looked at the dejected trio, there were no eager fans who otherwise would have thronged the airport.

Battalions of Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP), besides plain clothes police kept a close watch on the movement of everyone at the airport.

UNI