The Indian cricket team’s plans to return home were significantly disrupted by a powerful hurricane in Barbados on Sunday, June 30th. The newly crowned T20 champions, who were initially set to travel to New York to catch an Emirates flight to Mumbai, are now scheduled to take a direct charter flight from Barbados to New Delhi.
According to a report from the Press Trust of India (PTI), Hurricane Beryl, which originated in the Atlantic Ocean and has recorded maximum sustained winds of up to 210 kilometers per hour, caused the disruption. The Category 4 hurricane has been edging closer to Barbados, resulting in the closure of Bridgetown Airport for all operations on Sunday evening.
The situation is being closely monitored by Jay Shah, Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Indian contingent, comprising about 70 members including players, coaching staff, and support personnel, has been eagerly awaiting their return journey. The BCCI is currently working on securing a large aircraft from the United States capable of accommodating the entire group for the direct flight to India.
Initially, the team had planned to travel from Bridgetown to New York and then transit through Dubai before arriving in Mumbai. However, given the closure of Bridgetown Airport due to the hurricane, the contingency plan involves taking a charter flight directly to New Delhi. During their stay in the Indian capital, there’s a strong possibility that the team will meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
In fact, earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Modi personally called the team members to congratulate them on their triumphant campaign in the USA and the West Indies. The Prime Minister commended the players for their outstanding performance and expressed his pride in their achievement.
“The team was supposed to leave from Bridgetown to New York and then reach India via Dubai,” a source told PTI. “But now, the plan is to get a charter flight straight from here to Delhi.
. A meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is also being considered.”
The cricketing world has been abuzz with related news as well. Among the major highlights are Rahul Dravid’s reflections on achieving his World Cup dream as a coach, Ravindra Jadeja’s surprising announcement regarding his retirement from T20Is following India’s T20 World Cup 2024 victory, and the BCCI’s declaration of a substantial prize of Rs 125 crores for the team in honor of their achievement.
This historic victory marked a significant moment for Indian cricket fans, who had been waiting for 17 long years to witness the Men in Blue clinch the T20 World Cup once again, and 11 years to bring home an ICC title. This period of waiting and subsequent triumph has only heightened the anticipation for the team’s homecoming.
Millions of fans are expected to throng the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi on July 2nd to provide a hero’s welcome to the cricketing icons who have once again put Indian cricket on the global map. The celebration is expected to be grand, with fans eagerly waiting to revel in the joy of the national team’s success and to give them the accolade they rightfully deserve.
The team’s journey back home isn’t just a return from a tour; it’s a return as world champions. The logistic challenges posed by the hurricane have only added to the palpable excitement and anticipation surrounding their arrival. The cricketing fraternity, along with millions of fans, remain glued to updates, eagerly awaiting the moment when the players set foot back on home soil.
As the BCCI orchestrates the final arrangements for the team’s return, this unforeseen delay has only amplified the thrill and sense of pride associated with India’s latest cricketing achievement. The impending meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi further adds to the significance, making it a momentous occasion for the players, the fans, and the nation alike.
The legacy of this victorious campaign will be remembered not just for its on-field exploits, but also for the challenges the team overcame off the field, proving once again that when it comes to Indian cricket, adaptability and resilience are key attributes that define their journey and success.
