The Indian cricket team, along with their families, support staff, and media personnel, are stranded at the Hilton Hotel in Barbados due to the indefinite shutdown of the airport caused by Hurricane Beryl warnings. The Category 4 hurricane is expected to pass the island on Sunday night, creating significant logistical challenges and prompting the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to make urgent travel arrangements.
Hurricane Beryl intensifies
According to CNN, “Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, intensified into a ‘very dangerous’ Category 3 storm on Sunday morning as it churned toward Barbados and the Windward Islands, promising destructive hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge, according to the National Hurricane Center.”
Stranded after T20 World Cup win
The Indian team, fresh from their second T20 World Cup victory against South Africa on Saturday, had planned to depart for home via a charter flight from the USA. However, the hurricane warning and subsequent airport closure on Sunday evening have left them stranded. The South African team managed to leave Barbados earlier on Sunday.
Comments from BCCI Secretary Jay Shah
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah, also stranded in Barbados, commented on the situation, stating, “Like you, we are also stuck here. After the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation.” Shah assured that once travel clearance is obtained, the team will fly home for a planned felicitation ceremony.
Upon their return, the Indian team will travel to New Delhi to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The PM called the Indian squad after their T20 World Cup victory, speaking with Captain Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and outgoing Coach Rahul Dravid.
Shah praised the team’s success and highlighted the BCCI’s efforts in nurturing talent. “This team truly embodies a rising, vibrant, and resilient India, asserting its rightful place in the world of cricket. I am delighted that, as the governing body of the sport in India, the BCCI has played a part in this team’s success through our relentless focus on identifying, grooming, and nurturing the right talent,” Shah said in Barbados, as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Unbeaten champions
Under Rohit Sharma’s leadership, the team made history by winning the ICC T20 World Cup unbeaten. Shah noted, “They have faced and silenced their critics with stellar performances time and again. Their journey has been nothing short of inspirational. Led by Rohit Sharma, and ably assisted by Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, and others, they have fulfilled the dreams and aspirations of 1.4 billion Indians.”