After their World Cup win in Barbados, India faces obstacles in returning home due to an unexpected hurricane.
The Barbados government issued a warning about a ‘very dangerous’ Category 3 storm named Beryl, prompting uncertainty about the team’s return itinerary and forcing the BCCI to swiftly make alternative arrangements.
The Indian team will stay in Bridgetown for an additional day.
Originally scheduled to fly out on Monday via New York and Emirates flights to Mumbai, the BCCI is now exploring chartering a direct flight from the US to India due to potential airport closures in Barbados from Sunday night.
“Beryl, the first hurricane of the 2024 Atlantic season, intensified into a ‘very dangerous’ Category 3 storm on Sunday morning as it approached Barbados and the Windward Islands,” reported CNN, highlighting the storm’s destructive potential.
With logistical challenges mounting, efforts are underway to secure a suitable aircraft capable of accommodating the entire entourage, including players, support staff, families, and officials totaling about 70 members.
Options for such aircraft in the Caribbean are limited, necessitating arrangements from the United States.
As of Sunday, the revised plan aims to fly everyone to New Delhi, where a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi is being considered to celebrate their victory.
Prime Minister Modi personally congratulated key team members including captain Rohit Sharma, coach Rahul Dravid, and star batsman Virat Kohli immediately after the victory.
BCCI Secretary Jay Shah expressed pride in the team’s resilience and success, emphasizing their historic unbeaten run in the ICC T20 World Cup under Rohit Sharma’s leadership.
He announced a significant prize money of INR 125 crore as a token of appreciation from the BCCI to the victorious Indian team earlier in the evening.
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