Barbados: The Indian cricket team is on-board Air India flight to return home from Barbados following their triumph in the T20 World Cup 2024, where they clinched the title by defeating South Africa, Rohit Sharma’s men were slated to depart for India on Sunday. However, adverse weather conditions forced the closure of Grantley Adams International Airport, leading to the cancellation of all flights.
#WATCH | Indian cricket team leave from Barbados. The team will reach Delhi on July 4, early morning pic.twitter.com/sLKOykVdQ2
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) July 3, 2024
Reports on Wednesday morning (IST) indicated a further delay in the team’s departure, with expectations of their arrival in Delhi on Thursday morning. The charter flight, designated AIC24WC (Air India Champions 24 World Cup), finally landed in Barbados around noon IST, marking a crucial step towards the team’s return.
#WATCH | A special flight of Air India lands at Barbados Airport. Team India will fly back to the country on this flight. pic.twitter.com/5q8NaiIJGP
— ANI (@ANI) July 3, 2024
BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla confirmed the developments, expressing relief that the team was scheduled to fly back to Delhi on Wednesday evening local time after being stranded for three days due to the hurricane. “BCCI secretary @JayShah himself is monitoring the whole situation,” he assured, emphasizing the board’s efforts to ensure a safe journey home for the players, staff, families, and accompanying officials and media personnel.
Originally expected to depart on July 2 from New Jersey, USA, the charter flight’s arrival delay extended the team’s stay in Barbados. With operations at Grantley Adams International Airport resuming on Tuesday, plans were revised for a departure time at 4:30 am local time, aiming for a direct flight duration of approximately 16 hours to Delhi.
The Indian cricket team’s successful campaign in the T20 World Cup has culminated in logistical challenges that underline the resilience required in international sports travel amidst unpredictable weather conditions.
