The final groups of players and support staff from the South Africa and West Indies cricket teams have left India after days of uncertainty caused by the West Asia conflict. This follows the conclusion of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, hosted in India. The International Cricket Council coordinated efforts to ensure safe travels under challenging conditions.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on March 12, 2026, that the remaining members of the South Africa and West Indies squads have safely departed India. According to the ICC's media release, South Africa's final 29 members and the West Indies' last 16 members boarded flights to their home countries within the past 24 hours. This marks the end of a complicated logistics operation amid global travel disruptions linked to the ongoing West Asia conflict, including tensions from the Iran-Israel war.
The disruptions arose in the context of the recently concluded ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which took place in India. Reports from The Times of India and Lokmat Times highlight that players and staff faced days of travel uncertainty due to the evolving situation in the Middle East, affecting flights and routes. The ICC's operations and logistics teams collaborated with governments, airlines, charter providers, airport authorities, and member boards such as Cricket South Africa and Cricket West Indies to navigate these challenges.
"Securing safe onward travel for all remaining players and staff was our sole aim and required constant adjustments as conditions changed," the ICC stated in its release. The organization expressed gratitude to the teams for their patience and to its staff for their tireless efforts. No specific details on the exact departure locations or flight routes were provided, but the focus remained on ensuring the well-being of all involved.
This resolution allows the players to return home after participating in the tournament, which saw India defeat New Zealand in the final to claim a third title. The departures underscore the broader impacts of geopolitical tensions on international sports events.
