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Stranded Cricket Teams Get ICC Charter Flights Home Amid Middle East Air Chaos

The West Indies, South Africa, and England cricket teams are finally departing India this weekend on special charter flights arranged by the ICC. Their exit was delayed for nearly a week due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East following regional strikes. West Indies coach Daren Sammy highlighted the long wait, while player Akeal Hosein joked about needing Cristiano Ronaldo's help to get home. The Zimbabwe team, also stranded, has already left via an alternative route.

Key Points: ICC Charters Fly Stranded WI, SA, ENG Teams Home from India

  • Teams stranded after T20 World Cup
  • ICC arranges special charter flights
  • Middle East airspace restrictions cause delays
  • West Indies coach Sammy marks "Day 6" of wait
  • Zimbabwe team also affected, now departed
2 min read

WI, SA and ENG to depart from India on charter flights amid Middle East travel disruption: Report

West Indies, South Africa, and England cricket teams depart India on ICC-arranged charter flights after being stranded due to Middle East airspace restrictions.

"At this point, I'm better off asking Cristiano to send the jet and come rescue me yes - Akeal Hosein"

New Delhi, March 7

The long wait of the West Indies cricket team to leave India after getting knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2026 from the Super 8s is finally getting over as the Caribbean side will depart from India along with England and South Africa over the weekend on a special charter plane arranged by the International Cricket Council due to middle east travel disruptions.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, two-time champions England will depart from Mumbai on Saturday evening, while 2012 and 2016 T20 World Cup champions West Indies, along with South Africa, will take a different charter flight from Kolkata.

The West Indies' departure from Kolkata, where they lost to India by five wickets in their last Super Eights clash on March 1, was delayed by a week due to the Middle East region being under airspace restrictions following the USA and Israeli strikes on Iran.

South Africa, who lost to New Zealand in the semi-finals on Wednesday, are also stranded in Kolkata, while England are staying in Mumbai after losing to India in the second semi-final on Thursday.

"England will fly direct to London. West Indies, along with South Africa, will go to Johannesburg first and then to Antigua; both teams are still awaiting confirmation on when exactly they will depart, but the understanding is that it will be on Sunday," the report added.

On Saturday, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy had posted "Day 6" on his X account, indicating the number of days they had been stranded in Kolkata after their final match. While their spinner, Akeal Hosein, demanded help from the footballer Cristiano Ronaldo to take the team home.

"At this point, I'm better off asking Cristiano to send the jet and come rescue me yes," he wrote on X on Friday.

Earlier Zimbabwe Cricket team were also stranded in New Delhi for the same reason, but they departed on Thursday after the ICC arranged alternative travel for them to go back to Harare via Addis Ababa.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
This is a stark reminder of how global politics affects everything, even sports. Hope the players and staff are doing okay mentally after such a long, unexpected delay. The ICC's contingency planning for such events needs to be reviewed.
A
Ananya R
Feel so bad for the Windies team. They played their hearts out and then got stuck for a week in a hotel. At least they got to experience Kolkata a bit longer! The food and culture there is amazing. Wishing them a safe journey back to the Caribbean.
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Vikram M
Shows the importance of having strong diplomatic channels and backup routes. BCCI and Indian authorities also deserve credit for hosting them safely during this period. The world is so interconnected now.
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Michael C
While I'm glad they're getting home, the report says they are "still awaiting confirmation." The communication around this whole situation from the ICC has been poor. Families must be worried sick. Clarity and timely updates are the least they deserve.
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Kavya N
Darren Sammy's "Day 6" post said it all. Must be so frustrating. On a lighter note, maybe next time the ICC can book tickets a bit in advance keeping geopolitics in mind? Just a thought. Jokes aside, safe flight to all the players and support staff!

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