West Indies, South Africa, and England Set to Leave India on Charter Flights Amid Travel Disruptions in the Middle East
Synopsis
The West Indies cricket team's prolonged stay in India is finally ending as they prepare to leave on a charter flight alongside England and South Africa, facilitated by the ICC due to ongoing travel disruptions caused by Middle Eastern airspace restrictions.
Key Takeaways
West Indies cricket team is finally leaving India after T20 World Cup exit.
Charter flights organized by the ICC due to Middle East travel disruptions.
England will depart directly to London .
West Indies and South Africa will go to Johannesburg first.
Travel delays caused by military actions affecting airspace.
New Delhi, March 7 (NationPress) The extended wait for the West Indies cricket team to depart from India post their exit from the T20 World Cup 2026 is nearing its conclusion. The Caribbean squad will leave alongside England and South Africa this weekend on a special charter flight organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) due to travel restrictions in the Middle East.
As reported by ESPNcricinfo, England, who are two-time T20 champions, will take off from Mumbai on Saturday evening. Meanwhile, the West Indies and South Africa will board a separate charter flight from Kolkata. The West Indies’ flight was delayed by a week following airspace restrictions in the Middle East due to military actions involving the USA and Israel against Iran.
South Africa, after their semi-final loss to New Zealand on Wednesday, is also stuck in Kolkata, while England remains in Mumbai after their defeat to India in the second semi-final on Thursday.
"England will fly directly to London, while the West Indies and South Africa will first head to Johannesburg before flying on to Antigua. Both teams are still waiting for confirmation on their exact departure time, but it is anticipated for Sunday," the report mentioned.
On Saturday, West Indies coach Daren Sammy tweeted about being on "Day 6" of their wait in Kolkata following their last Super Eights match. Spinner Akeal Hosein humorously reached out to football star Cristiano Ronaldo for assistance in getting the team home, saying, "At this point, I’m better off asking Cristiano to send the jet and come rescue me yes," on his X account.
Previously, the Zimbabwe cricket team faced similar delays in New Delhi but managed to leave on Thursday after the ICC arranged alternate travel for their return to Harare via Addis Ababa.
Point of View
The departure of the West Indies, England, and South Africa highlights the logistical challenges faced by teams during international tournaments. It's essential to prioritize the safety and timely travel of athletes while ensuring they can return home after their commitments.
NationPress
20 Jun 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the teams leaving India?
The teams are departing due to their elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026 and ongoing travel disruptions in the Middle East.
When will the teams leave India?
The West Indies and South Africa are expected to leave on Sunday, while England is scheduled to depart on Saturday evening.
What caused the travel disruptions?
Travel disruptions were caused by airspace restrictions in the Middle East due to military actions involving the USA and Israel.
How did the ICC assist the teams?
The ICC organized special charter flights to ensure the teams could return home amid the travel restrictions.
What did Akeal Hosein say about their situation?
Akeal Hosein humorously requested help from Cristiano Ronaldo on social media to get the team home.
