Daijiworld Media Network - Kolkata

Kolkata, Mar 11: Cricket West Indies (CWI) has arranged commercial flights for its players and coaching staff to return home from India after the squad remained stranded in Kolkata following their exit from the ICC Men's T20 World Cup on March 1.

The team had been unable to depart earlier due to repeated delays in charter flights arranged by the International Cricket Council (ICC), amid disruptions in global aviation caused by tensions in West Asia.

CWI confirmed that some members of the West Indies squad have already made their own travel arrangements and flown out, while the remaining players and support staff are scheduled to leave on Tuesday or Wednesday via commercial flights.

Meanwhile, the South Africa national cricket team, which was knocked out of the tournament on March 4, will also begin departing India from Wednesday night, with all players expected to exit the country within 36 hours, according to an ICC statement.

“As is customary for both men’s and women’s ICC World Cups, all travel and accommodation arrangements for participating teams are coordinated and managed by the ICC,” CWI said in a statement.

The charter flight originally arranged for both the West Indies and South Africa teams was repeatedly delayed. The West Indies squad remained in India for nine days after finishing their matches while waiting for travel arrangements.

CWI said the ongoing uncertainty over the charter flight — caused by global tensions and aviation regulations — made the situation increasingly difficult for the players and staff.

“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,” the statement said.

The teams were initially informed on March 8 that a charter flight would depart Kolkata at 2.30 am on March 10, with a stop in Johannesburg before proceeding to St John's, Antigua. However, the flight was later cancelled.

Another charter flight scheduled for Tuesday afternoon was also cancelled after airports involved reportedly issued notices preventing ad-hoc charter flights from refuelling until further notice.

The disruption is linked to the ongoing crisis in West Asia, which has led to restrictions or closures of certain airspaces.

Players and coaching staff from both teams had earlier expressed frustration over the extended delay in returning home through posts on social media.