West Indies players were stranded in Kolkata for a fifth day after their exit from the T20 World Cup as international airspace restrictions triggered by the US and Israeli strikes on Iran continued to disrupt travel plans.
While a a charter flight was arranged for the Caribbean side to return home, local sources said final air traffic approvals were awaited.
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“WI & SA are still awaiting the details of the exit of both the teams,” a Cricket Association of Bengal official told PTI.
However, the official said that four South African players are likely to leave for New Zealand on Friday night for the upcoming bilateral series.
“Four SA players may leave for NZ this evening… formal details are awaited,” the official added.
The Windies crashed out of the T20 World Cup after India beat them by five wickets at the Eden Gardens on Sunday.
South Africa’s T20 World Cup campaign is over following their defeat by New Zealand in the first semi-final here on Wednesday.
The Proteas are set to take on the Kiwis in a five-match T20I series in New Zealand starting March 15.
It is still unclear when the rest of the South African team will fly out of town.
Cricket West Indies confirmed on Thursday that arrangements were being made for a chartered flight to take the team back home after being stranded in the city for more than four days due to international airspace restrictions in the Persian Gulf region.
“During a high-level call today involving CWI, ICC officials, team management representatives and player representatives, it was confirmed that a chartered flight is currently being prepared for the departure of the team from India, expected to depart within the next 24 hours,” CWI said in a statement.
“The departure time remains subject to final air traffic approval. The team remains safe and arrangements are still being finalized,” the governing body added.
The CWI said it was in constant contact with the players, team management and the International Cricket Council while working on travel arrangements.
“While the situation remains complex and volatile due to international airspace restrictions resulting from security concerns in the Persian Gulf region, CWI assures the public that all precautionary measures are being taken to ensure the team’s safe return to the Caribbean,” management said.
The development came hours after the West Indies head coach Daren Sammy expressed his frustration over the delay on social media in a post that he “just wants to go home.”
After the deal, he posted “Got an update. That’s all WI wanted.”
It is likely that some West Indies players will stay back to join their respective IPL franchises. The IPL is set to begin later this month.
Rovman Powell is part of the Kolkata Knight Riders, whose camp begins on March 18, while Sherfane Rutherford represents the Mumbai Indians.
Shimron Hetmyer is playing for Rajasthan Royals and Romario Shepherd is with Royal Challengers Bengaluru who are expected to start training from March 15.
The Zimbabwean players, who were also stranded in India for the same reason, have started returning home in batches after the ICC arranged for alternative travel routes via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Issued by:
Saurabh Kumar
Published on:
06 Mar 2026 20:26 IST
