There is elation at Air India. For, six of the 11 who played in the final of the Twenty20 World Cup are from the national carrier. Basking in the glory, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel announced a slew of rewards for them and their teammates here on Tuesday.

Captain M S Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh, Robin Uthappa, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh and R P Singh are employees of AI. Kerala seamer Sreesanth’s contract ended days before the T20 World Cup began in South Africa but AI is willing to renew it if the player is interested.

According to Patel, these six players will be given out of turn promotions immediately. Incidentally, these players were given one promotion very recently. While these staffers and their families get the normal travel benefits, Patel announced that the entire 15-member team and its support staff (which includes manager, coaches and others) and their families will get free travel in Air India for the next five years.

While details in this regard would be communicated to these players and support staff, AI would host them with travel facilities twice a year. “It cannot be unlimited,” he quipped.

Patel said AI would support women’s cricket team as well as encourage other sports disciplines such as hockey, and football.