Former West Indies captain Clive Lloyd has expressed deep concern for members of the regional cricket team who have been stranded in India for over a week following their elimination from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup on March 1.
The team’s scheduled departure was delayed due to ongoing airspace restrictions across West Asia, a disruption affecting international flights throughout the region. Reports indicate that the West Indies, along with South Africa, are now slated to depart early Tuesday, following England’s team leaving Mumbai on Saturday evening for London, according to ESPNcricinfo.
“Safety is paramount”
Speaking on i95.5 FM, Lloyd described the situation as “frightening” for the players, emphasizing the importance of ensuring their safety and swift return to their families.
“Well, I presume that they should be dealing with the people that invited them there and find out the best way to get home, because you don’t want to be in harm’s way, you want to get home to your family as quickly as possible,” Lloyd said.
Highlighting the personal stakes, he noted, “Most of the guys are married, have kids, and so on, so they would be worried. They don’t want to have that situation.”
Calls for government intervention
While acknowledging that the International Cricket Council is responsible for coordinating team logistics, Lloyd suggested that regional governments may need to step in if progress is slow.
“It is a bad look for the West Indies, because if everybody is going home and you’re the only team left there, you would think that something is wrong. Is it that they’re short of cash? It means that the governments should get involved and get people home,” he said.
Lloyd also recommended that charter flights could provide a direct solution to ensure the players’ safety and expedite their return. “Surely they should be able to charter a flight and get the players home. You have to look after your players; safety is important,” he added.
Urgency amid international disruptions
The delay has underscored the vulnerability of athletes during geopolitical crises, placing West Indies players in an uncomfortable limbo while other teams have successfully departed. Lloyd’s call for immediate action reflects the wider expectation that players’ welfare must remain the priority, and that no team should be left stranded in uncertain conditions.
As the situation develops, the cricketing community and regional authorities will be closely monitoring efforts to repatriate the team safely.
