The West Indies cricket team has been stranded in Kolkata following its exit from the T20 World Cup as escalating tensions in the Middle East led to the closure of key air corridors across West Asia.
The Caribbean side, who played their Super 8 match in Kolkata, were due to leave India shortly after their elimination. However, the shutdown of Dubai Airport and the wider closure of West Asian airspace severely disrupted international flight schedules, leaving the team unable to return home as planned.
The unfolding crisis comes after Israel launched a pre-emptive strike against Iran, sparking heightened security concerns and restrictions on aviation across the region. Several major transit hubs in West Asia – commonly used for long-haul connections between India and the Caribbean – have either suspended operations or severely curtailed flights.
As a result, many international flights were canceled or diverted, affecting not only commercial passengers but also sports contingents. The Zimbabwean cricket team was similarly stuck in Delhi due to the same airspace restrictions.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is currently coordinating with airlines and relevant authorities to arrange alternative travel plans for the affected teams. According to sources, efforts are underway to secure routes through European, South Asian and Southeast Asian hubs to bypass the restricted West Asian corridor.
While no revised departure date has been confirmed, officials remain hopeful that temporary measures can be taken once airlines stabilize flight schedules and identify safe transit routes.
For now, the West Indies squad remains in Kolkata awaiting clarification on the rapidly evolving geopolitical situation that has spilled over into global aviation and international sports.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
02 March 2026 22:33 IST
