‘Safety well-being is ICC’s highest priority’:West Indies board issues statement after travel delays; players to return home via commercial flight

The West Indies cricket team contingent that remained stranded in India after the end of their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign is finally heading home. After waiting several days due to travel complications, players and support staff have started leaving India on commercial flights. Cricket West Indies confirmed the update in an official statement, explaining that some members of the squad had already departed, while the remaining players and staff were scheduled to leave on March 10 and March 11. The team had been stuck in India after their final World Cup match against India on March 1. Since then, travel plans have repeatedly been delayed due to disruptions to international air travel caused by tensions and restrictions in the Gulf region. With commercial flights now arranged, the West Indies squad is finally making its way back home, bringing an end to a stressful period following their World Cup exit. Airspace restrictions caused major travel disruption The ongoing crisis in the Gulf region forced several countries to either close their airspace or significantly limit flight operations. This situation created major challenges for teams trying to return home after the tournament. While teams such as the England cricket team managed to leave India earlier, both the West Indies and the South Africa national cricket teams remained stranded for several days. South Africa stayed in India after losing their semi-final match, while the West Indies had to wait even longer after finishing their campaign in the Super Eight stage of the tournament. Initially, travel arrangements were planned through a special charter flight by the International Cricket Council for both West Indies and South Africa players. However, the charter flight was delayed multiple times due to the uncertain aviation situation. Players express frustration during the delay During the prolonged wait, West Indies head coach Daren Sammy repeatedly raised concerns on social media regarding the team’s return plans. Several players also expressed their frustration over the situation. Players such as Akeal Hosein and Shimron Hetmyer shared their disappointment publicly as uncertainty over travel arrangements continued. ICC’s statement on safety and well-being of players and support staff Earlier, on February 28, the ICC released a statement confirming that contingency plans had been activated to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants involved in the tournament. “The safety and well-being of every individual connected to our event is the ICC’s highest priority,” said a statement released by the ICC. “We have already mobilised our travel, logistics and security teams, and are working around the clock to ensure that all stakeholders can return home safely, with minimal disruption…” CWI’s decision taken to use commercial flights After waiting for several days without clarity about the charter flight schedule, Cricket West Indies decided it was best to arrange commercial flights instead of continuing to wait. CWI explained that the team had stayed in India for nine days after completing their final match while waiting for the ICC to make the travel arrangements. After completing play, the West Indies squad remained in India for nine (9) days awaiting travel, CWI recalled in a statement. “However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ICC-organised charter, as a result of global tensions and aviation regulations, made the situation increasingly distressing.” “In the interest of the well-being and safety of its players and support staff, Cricket West Indies advised the ICC that it was no longer prudent to continue waiting on the charter arrangements, which remain uncertain. Multiple approaches have since been made through CWI, players, and other partners, in coordination with the ICC, to secure commercial travel to facilitate the squad’s safe return.”