The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Wednesday dismissed allegations of unfair treatment after the West Indies and South Africa squads were left stranded in India for more than a week following the T20 World Cup.
Global travel disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East have led airlines to cancel or reroute flights, creating significant challenges for international travel.
Cricket West Indies said on Tuesday that its squad had been waiting nine days for a charter flight that faced repeated delays, describing the prolonged uncertainty as “increasingly distressing” for players and staff.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also criticised the situation on social media. He pointed out that England’s team departed India about 36 hours after their semi-final defeat, while the West Indies and South Africa squads remained in Kolkata more than a week after their tournament exits.
Responding to the criticism, the ICC said decisions regarding travel arrangements were based solely on safety, logistical feasibility and the welfare of those involved.
“We understand that players, coaches, support staff and their families who have completed their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns are eager to return home,” the ICC said in a statement. “The fact that many have not yet been able to do so is frustrating, and the ICC shares that concern.”
The cricket body added that the travel situations of the West Indies and South Africa could not be compared with England’s departure, saying the circumstances differed in terms of available routes, logistics and flight conditions.
According to the ICC, members of the South African contingent are expected to depart within the next 36 hours. South Africa’s T20 World Cup campaign ended on March 4.
The ICC also said nine West Indies players and staff members were already en route to the Caribbean, while the remaining 16 are scheduled to leave India within the next 24 hours.