Darren Sammy makes desperate plea to return home as West Indies stuck in India

West Indies head coach Darren Sammy has shared a desperate plea on social media as the team have not been able to return home after the end of their T20 World Cup campaign. Airspace closure due to the ongoing conflict between the USA and Israel against Iran means multiple teams have found trouble returning home from India. 

West Indies were eliminated from the Super 8 stage after losing a virtual knockout game against India on Sunday, March 1. With there being uncertainty over travel and when these restrictions will be lifted, Sammy’s message reflects the mood in the West Indies camp.

“I just wanna go home,” Sammy posted on X (formerly Twitter), as he helplessly awaits the green flag to board the return flight from India.

Cricket West Indies are working on ensuring solutions for safe travel for their players, in collaboration with the ICC and respective government authorities.

“Cricket West Indies (CWI) wishes to advise that the departure of the West Indies Senior Men’s Team from India, following their exit from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, has been delayed due to international airspace restrictions,” the board said in a statement.

“These restrictions are a direct result of the security threats posed by military action in the Gulf Region, which has impacted several international flight routes and required airlines to adjust scheduled services for safety reasons. CWI appreciates the understanding and concern of our fans, families, and stakeholders during this time,” the statement added.”

The Gulf airspace is closed until further notice with Dubai International Airport also hit amid the ongoing conflict. This is one of the busiest airports in the world, acting as a prime destination for connecting flights during international tournaments in India.

“West Indies are still here. There’s no confirmation when they will leave. Obviously things are being looked after by the ICC. I don’t think West Indies boys are under any kind of pressure to go back home. Besides West Indies, Zimbabwe is also stranded in India due to the same reason,” a BCCI source said, as reported by NDTV.