The International Cricket Council has denied claims of unequal treatment after travel delays left the West Indies and South Africa teams stuck in India for several days following their exit from the T20 World Cup.
England left India in less than two days after losing their semifinal. But the West Indies and South Africa squads had to wait much longer to return home. This led to criticism from players and team officials.
The delays came after airspace closures and flight changes linked to the war in the Middle East. Travel routes became limited and several plans had to change.
The ICC said on Wednesday that the decisions were based only on safety and travel conditions.
“We understand that players, coaches, support staff and their families who have completed their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaigns are anxious to return home,” the ICC said in a statement.
The West Indies team faced the longest wait. Cricket West Indies said the squad had waited nine days for a charter flight that kept getting delayed. The board said the situation had become “increasingly distressing”.
Some West Indies players shared their frustration on social media. They finally began leaving India on commercial flights in small groups about ten days after their planned departure.
The ICC said nine players and staff from the West Indies were already on their way home. The remaining 16 were booked on flights that would depart within 24 hours.
Reports in Indian media said a charter flight planned for the West Indies and South Africa teams had been cancelled earlier on Tuesday. The flight was supposed to travel to Johannesburg before heading to Antigua.
South Africa had also been waiting in India since March 4. The ICC said the team would start flying home on Wednesday. The whole group was expected to leave within the next 36 hours.
England’s quick departure caused strong reactions from players of the other teams.
West Indies head coach Darren Sammy posted his frustration on social media. Five days after his team’s exit, he wrote on X, “I just wanna go home.” He later asked for updates after saying the team had heard nothing for days.
South Africa players also spoke about the delay. After their semifinal loss, Quinton de Kock said the team had not received any information about their travel while England had already left.
“England are leaving before us somehow?! Strange how different teams have more pull than others,” De Kock wrote on Instagram.
David Miller also commented on the issue. Reacting to news of England’s departure, he wrote, “It doesn’t take the ICC long to organise England charter. WI have been waiting for 7 days for a charter and SA coming on 4 days now. And yet we still wait.”
The ICC rejected these claims. The governing body said England’s travel plans were made under different conditions and could not be compared with those of the other teams.
“Throughout this period, the ICC’s overriding priority has been the safety and welfare of everyone affected,” the ICC said.
“We will not move people until we are satisfied that the travel solution in place is safe, and that commitment will not change.”
