Several cricket teams were stranded in India for over a week following their elimination from the T20 World Cup, with travel disruptions affecting their return journeys home.

The West Indies, South Africa, and Zimbabwe teams remained stuck in Kolkata after their tournament exits, unable to depart on scheduled flights. Officials attributed the delays to airspace restrictions in West Asia related to ongoing tensions in the Middle East, specifically linked to the Israel-Iran conflict.

The airspace closures affected flight routes to both the Caribbean and South Africa, leading to widespread cancellations and complications with chartered flights that had been arranged for the tournament. ICC charter flights experienced significant delays as airlines sought alternative routing options.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan criticized the disparate treatment of teams, questioning why England was able to fly home within 36 hours of their elimination while other nations remained stranded for much longer periods.

Cricket West Indies eventually arranged commercial flights to transport their players and staff home after the extended delay. Zimbabwe's team also faced similar challenges and was scheduled to return to Harare via a connecting flight through Addis Ababa.

The travel disruptions highlighted logistical challenges faced by international cricket tours when geopolitical events impact global air travel routes.