West Indies Coach's Plea Amid Gulf Airspace Woes

West Indies cricket team faces travel delays leaving India after the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 due to Gulf region airspace restrictions from Israel-Iran tensions. Coach Daren Sammy expressed his wish to return home. Cricket West Indies ensures players' safety remains a top priority amid these challenges.

West Indies cricket team head coach, Daren Sammy, expressed his desire to return home following the team's exit from the Super Eights stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026. The team's departure from India is delayed due to airspace restrictions over the Gulf Region, attributed to security concerns amid the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict.

The former skipper, Sammy, took to Instagram to share his frustration, stating, "Dear Lord. I put this situation in your hands and I pray that you bless everyone handling it." Earlier, he tweeted, "I just wanna go home." Cricket West Indies (CWI) acknowledged these disruptions, affirming their dedication to the players' safety.

CWI revealed that the Gulf Region's military actions have prompted airlines to modify routes, impacting international trajectories. The board confirmed their collaboration with the International Cricket Council (ICC) and related authorities to facilitate secure travel for the team. Notably, the travel quandary followed a five-wicket defeat to India at Eden Gardens, a loss that ended West Indies' World Cup campaign.

(With inputs from agencies.)