Ongoing military conflicts in the Middle East have severely disrupted regular international flights, leaving several cricket teams stranded in India for days. The prolonged uncertainty had created a near ‘captive’ situation for the players, but relief is finally at hand. Special chartered flights arranged by the International Cricket Council (ICC) are now set to transport the England, South Africa, and West Indies squads out of the country.
According to ESPNcricinfo, the England team, which lost to India in the semi-final last Thursday, will depart from Mumbai on Saturday evening, returning directly to London. Meanwhile, both the South African and West Indies squads, who have been spending idle days in Kolkata, are scheduled to leave the city on Sunday via a separate chartered flight.
The teams’ destinations vary. England will fly straight home, while West Indies will first travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, before heading onwards to Antigua. Not all South African players will return together; key players such as Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith, and George Linde, along with a large segment of the team management, will fly to New Zealand on Sunday to participate in the T20 series beginning on 15 March.
Following elimination from the T20 World Cup, the South African and West Indies squads remained in Kolkata. South Africa exited the tournament after losing to New Zealand in the semi-final on 4 March, whereas West Indies were knocked out in the Super Eight stage after a defeat to India on 1 March.
West Indies head coach Darren Sammy posted on his X account marking ‘Day Six’ in India, indicating the team’s sixth day in the country since elimination. Zimbabwe also faced similar logistical challenges; although their last match was on 1 March, a portion of the squad could only leave India on Wednesday.
A summary of the teams’ status and departure plans is shown below:
| Team | Last Match | Result | Current Status in India | Departure Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| England | 2 March, Semi-final vs India | Lost | Mumbai | Depart to London Saturday |
| South Africa | 4 March, Semi-final vs New Zealand | Lost | Kolkata | Partial squad to New Zealand Sunday |
| West Indies | 1 March, Super Eight vs India | Lost | Kolkata | Fly via Johannesburg to Antigua Sunday |
| Zimbabwe | 1 March, Last Match | Lost | Mumbai/Kolkata | Partial squad departed Wednesday |
Cricket analysts note that such delays and extended stays off the field have tested the players’ patience and morale. The ICC’s intervention via chartered flights marks a significant logistical effort, ensuring that all stranded squads can safely return home or proceed to their next series. For players and fans alike, it signals a much-needed end to a tense and uncertain period.