Indian President Pratibha Patil (R) receives an autographed bat from Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni during a reception at the presidential palace in New Delhi on Tuesday.Photo: AFP

More than a month after their World Twenty20 Championship triumph sent the entire nation into a frenzy, India's cricket stars were on Tuesday awarded a rare honour of being felicitated by the President and the Prime Minister.
It turned out to be a red letter day for Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his bravehearts as they first got an audience with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and were then felicitated by President Pratibha Patil at the majestic Darbar Hall of the Rashtrapati Bhawan.
The Indian hockey team, which won the Asia Cup recently, also had their moment of glory with the President felicitating them along with the cricketers at a simple ceremony which lasted about half an hour.
It was a moment to cherish for the cricket team, which beat arch-rivals Pakistan in a thrilling Twenty20 World Cup final, as the players interacted with the Prime Minister and his wife Gursharan Kaur for close to 15 minutes.
The Prime Minister personally congratulated each member of the team and presented them with mementos for their remarkable achievement.
The President also hosted a high tea at the Banquet Hall for the two teams, who were dressed in formal navy blue blazers.
While the hockey team was seated almost an hour before the function began, the cricketers came just a few minutes before the President's arrival after their interaction with the Prime Minister.
However, Virender Sehwag was not present at the function.