A charter flight is being arranged to get the West Indies team back home from Kolkata, where they have been stuck since being eliminated from the T20 World Cup on March 1. Cricket West Indies (CWI) issued a statement on Thursday night India time saying the expected departure time of the charter flight would be "within the next 24 hours," but subject to final air traffic approvals.
The CWI statement said the confirmation came after "a high-level call" on Thursday involving CWI, ICC officials, a representative of the team management, and a representative of the players.
"CWI has remained in constant dialogue with the players, team management, and the International Cricket Council (ICC) since their last match against India," the statement said. "While the situation remains complex and fluid due to international airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region, CWI assures the public that every precaution is being taken to ensure the safe return of the team to the Caribbean."
The West Indies team has been in Kolkata since their Super Eight loss to India and earlier on Thursday their head coach Daren Sammy put out a post on X, saying "I just wanna go home".
He followed it up with another post a little later, saying, "At least an update, tell us something. Today, tmw, next week. It's been five days."
West Indies are one of the teams stranded in India due to the military conflict in West Asia, which has also led to other games being cancelled since.
I just wanna go home
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) March 5, 2026
With the usual airspace corridors closed owing to the ongoing situation, the ICC has been confronted with severe logistical challenges of arranging return flights for teams.
On Wednesday, though, there was good news for Zimbabwe, with the first batch of their squad members leaving for home from Delhi after the ICC reworked their travel arrangements.
Like West Indies, Zimbabwe played their last match at the T20 World Cup on March 1, losing to South Africa in Delhi. Zimbabwe were originally scheduled to depart on March 2, but that plan was cancelled.
At least an update, tell us something. Today tmw, next week. It's been 5 days
— Daren Sammy (@darensammy88) March 5, 2026
There is no official word on the travel plans for the rest of their squad members.
"Zimbabwe Cricket confirms that the Zimbabwe senior men's team participating in the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 are on their way home from India after the International Cricket Council secured alternative travel arrangements following recent transit disruptions," Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement on Wednesday. "Due to flight availability and revised routing, the squad will return to Harare in batches.
"Zimbabwe's original travel route was via Dubai on an Emirates flight but it had to be altered. It has been learnt that Zimbabwe are now travelling to Harare via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia."
South Africa were eliminated in the semi-final by New Zealand on Wednesday night, and will now wait to know their schedule for getting back home. In case England lose to India in the second semi-final on Thursday, their travel plans back will also have to be worked out.
*The article was updated after CWI issued a statement
