Final Batch Of South Africa, West India Cricketers Finally Depart India Amidst West Asia Crisis

The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Thursday that the final contingent of South African and West Indian players, stranded in India following the recently concluded T20 World Cup, had departed, bringing an end to a protracted crisis precipitated by the closure of Gulf airspace amidst escalating tensions in West Asia.

The escalating conflict in West Asia wreaked havoc on travel arrangements, leaving the South African and West Indies teams marooned in Kolkata as a result of the closure of airspace and airports at key transit hubs, such as Dubai.

The West Indies and South Africa played their final T20 World Cup games in Kolkata on March 1 and March 4, respectively. While nine West Indies players had left earlier this week, the remaining 16 were secured on commercial flights. A 29-member Proteas contingent has also departed.

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"Within the past 24 hours, South Africa's remaining 29 members and the West Indies' final 16 members have departed on flights to their respective homelands, bringing to a close a complex operation that has taken place under exceptionally challenging global travel conditions," the ICC said.

ICC added that providing the "safe onward travel for all players and staff was the sole aim", which required regular adjustments as conditions evolved.

"Throughout this period, the ICC's operations and logistics teams have worked continuously with governments, airlines, charter providers, airport authorities and our Member boards to navigate a number of operational disruptions caused by the evolving environment."

The ICC faced criticism from former England captain Michael Vaughan and South African players Quinton de Kock and David Miller, who accused England players of receiving preferential travel treatment, departing within a day of their semifinal departure.

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West Indies head coach Daren Sammy had previously expressed frustration over the ICC's lack of communication, following the cancellation of a charter flight from Kolkata due to logistical issues.

Emirates, the ICC's airline partner, has been grounded due to the closure of Dubai airspace.