A charter flight has been arranged for the West Indies team to return home after the Caribbean side remained stranded in Kolkata for more than four days due to international airspace restrictions, Cricket West Indies (CWI) confirmed on Thursday.
“During a high-level call earlier today involving CWI, ICC officials, a representative of team management, and a representative of the players, it was confirmed that a charter flight is currently being arranged for the team’s departure from India, with the expected departure scheduled within the next 24 hours. The departure time remains subject to final air traffic approvals.
“The team remains safe and well as arrangements continue to be finalized. Cricket West Indies reiterates that the safe return of our players and staff remains our highest priority,” the CWI statement on X read.
The West Indies were knocked out of the T20 World Cup 2026 after losing to India in a must-win Super Eight match on March 1 in Kolkata. They were not able to fly back home as international flight operations were shut down because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East region, which serves as a major transit hub.
“Got an update. That’s all WI wanted,” West Indies head coach Daren Sammy tweeted. The development came a few hours after Sammy had sent an emotional plea on social media.
Expressing his frustration of being stranded in India, Sammy had earlier posted on X: “I just wanna go home.”
Hours later, Sammy followed it up with another post seeking clarity on their travel plans.
“At least an update, tell us something. Today, tmw, next week. It’s been 5 days,” Sammy wrote.
According to reports, several West Indies players are expected to stay back in India as their respective IPL franchises would soon begin preparatory camps in the coming weeks.
Rovman Powell, part of Kolkata Knight Riders franchise, who are expected to start their camp on March 18. While, Romario Shepherd is with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and their camp may begin on March 15. Sherfane Rutherford of Mumbai Indians and Shimron Hetmyer of Rajasthan Royals are also expected to stay back in India for the IPL.
Zimbabwe cricket team, who too were stranded in Delhi after their exit from the tournament, have also started returning home in batches after the ICC arranged alternate travel routes via Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.
