Frustrated by the delays caused by the International Cricket Council (ICC), Cricket West Indies (CWI) has arranged commercial flights for members of the West Indies men’s team stranded in India after the T20 World Cup. In an official press release, the board expressed frustration at the delay in the organized charter flights and revealed that they were arranging the flight back for the players themselves.
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In its third statement on the matter, the CWI said the unit remained in India for nine days after completing its campaign while it awaited a charter flight organized by the ICC. The charter, which was supposed to carry both the West Indies and South Africa teams, was repeatedly postponed.
According to the CWI, travel and accommodation arrangements for participating teams during both the ICC Men’s and Women’s World Cups are coordinated and managed by the ICC. However, continued uncertainty surrounding the charter flight, caused by global tensions and aviation regulations, forced the board to step in and make alternative arrangements for the team.
“For the welfare and safety of its players and support staff, Cricket West Indies has advised the ICC that it is no longer prudent to continue to wait for charter agreements that remain uncertain,” the board said in a statement.
The CWI added that a lot of efforts have been made through the board, players and other partners in coordination with the ICC to ensure commercial travel for the team to return home safely.
Some players and staff have already left India, while the remaining squad members are scheduled to leave on Tuesday 10 March and Wednesday 11 March.
The board also thanked fans and stakeholders for their patience during the situation and expressed appreciation for the support shown in efforts to resolve the travel issue.
PLAYERS STRANDED: WHO’S TO BLAME?
Several players from the West Indies and the South African cricket team are stranded in India due to the conflict in West Asia. The ICC had promised to arrange a private charter, but the flight from Kolkata was canceled on Tuesday due to airspace clearance issues.
The two teams were scheduled to share a charter flight to Johannesburg, from where the West Indies would proceed to Antigua. The flight was arranged after both teams found themselves in India following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup. International airspace restrictions caused by ongoing tensions in West Asia have made it difficult to plan a direct route home.
Due to the continued delay, the West Indies Cricket Board was forced to take matters into their own hands.
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Issued by:
Kingshuk Kusari
Published on:
10 March 2026 22:38 IST
