The ICC on Wednesday (March 11) dismissed claims of travel bias against the South Africa and West Indies teams, saying both teams would leave India within the next 24 hours. South Africa and the West Indies remained stranded in the country despite their campaigns ending well before the final, which was played on March 8, due to military tensions in West Asia.
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In a statement on Wednesday, the ICC said that all members of the South African team will leave India within 36 hours. They also noted that nine members of the West Indies side are already on their way home and the rest of the contingent have booked flights to leave within 24 hours.
“As per current arrangements, the South African contingent will begin their flight to South Africa this evening, with all members expected to depart within the next 36 hours. Of the West Indies contingent, nine members are already traveling to the Caribbean, while the remaining 16 are booked on flights departing from India within the next 24 hours. Updates on further departures will be provided in a confirmation from the ICC,” the ICC said.
West Indies have been stuck in Kolkata since their Super Eight loss to India at the Eden Gardens on March 1, while South Africa are also stuck in the city after their semi-final defeat at the same venue on March 4.
India Today reported on Tuesday that the chartered flight that had been arranged for the departure of the two teams from Kolkata was canceled after authorities failed to grant the required airspace clearance. As a result, both teams are currently stuck in the city without a confirmed travel plan.
Under the agreement, South Africa and the West Indies were to travel together on a chartered flight to Johannesburg, from where the Caribbean side would continue on to Antigua. The flight was organized after both teams left India following the conclusion of their T20 World Cup campaigns. However, international airspace restrictions related to ongoing tensions in West Asia have complicated efforts to secure a direct route home.
The international governing body also responded to allegations of bias, saying decisions regarding the Proteas and Windes tour were made on the basis of safety, feasibility and welfare.
“The ICC rejects any suggestion that these decisions were driven by anything other than safety, feasibility and welfare. Otherwise, suggestions across various media platforms from people uninformed are as useless as they are incorrect,” the statement said.
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Published on:
11 Mar 2026 08:37 IST
