Middle East Crisis: “I just wanna go home” says Darren Sammy

Published

3 months ago

March 5, 2026

West Indies head coach and former T20 World Cup winner Darren Sammy took to social media on Wednesday to express his frustration after being stranded in India following his team’s elimination from the T20 World Cup 2026.

“I just wanna go home,” Sammy posted on X, a simple message that captured the growing anxiety of cricketers caught in an unprecedented travel crisis.

The West Indies cricket team has been left stranded in Kolkata following their exit from the tournament, as escalating tensions in the Middle East have led to the closure of air spaces across West Asia. The Caribbean side, which played its Super 8 match against India in Kolkata, was scheduled to depart India shortly after its elimination.

However, the shutdown of Dubai Airport and the wider closure of West Asian airspace have severely disrupted international flight schedules, leaving the team unable to return home as planned. What should have been a straightforward journey home has turned into a waiting game with no clear end in sight.

The West Indies are not the only cricket team stuck in India. Zimbabwe’s squad faced the same problem but managed to find a way out with help from the ICC.

According to a statement from Zimbabwe Cricket, the ICC stepped in to secure alternative travel arrangements after their original flights via Dubai on Emirates were cancelled. The team is now returning to Harare in batches via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

“Due to flight availability and revised routing, the squad will return to Harare in batches. The first group of players departed India today, Wednesday, while the final group is scheduled to leave on Friday afternoon,” the board said.

Zimbabwe’s journey home has taken a completely different route than planned, but at least they have a route. For the West Indies, however, there has been no official update on their travel plans.

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India set for bumper New Zealand tour featuring 10 white-ball matches and Two Tests

Published

6 days ago

June 3, 2026

Staff Reporter

India will undertake the biggest-ever international cricket tour of New Zealand later this year, playing two tests, five one-day internationals and five Twenty20 matches against the Black Caps.

India will open the tour with the T20s in late October and early November quickly followed by the ODI series.

The first test takes place at Wellington’s Basin Reserve from November 19 to 23. The second test will be at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval from November 27 to December 1.

“When it comes to cricket – it simply doesn’t get bigger than India and we’re determined to deliver New Zealanders a tour like no other,” said New Zealand Cricket’s Glenn Critchley. “We’re expecting all of these games to sell out.”

After travelling to play four tests in Australia around the New Year, New Zealand will also host Sri Lanka in three ODIs, three T20s, and two tests in January and February, 2027.

The White Ferns women’s team will host Bangladesh for three T20s and three ODIs in December.

No RCB victory parade in Bengaluru as fans celebrate title win indoors

Published

1 week ago

June 1, 2026

Staff Reporter

The passionate fans will not be able to celebrate Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title defence with the team after the franchise decided against holding a victory parade in the city in order to avoid the crowd frenzy, which led to last year’s deadly stampede.

Virat Kohli once again delivered on the biggest stage as Royal Challengers Bengaluru defended their IPL title with a five-wicket win over Gujarat Titans in the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday, extending his remarkable run of consistency in a format increasingly dominated by ultra-aggressive batting.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s second IPL title win came on Rajat Patidar’s 33rd birthday but more than that happy coincidence the skipper was pleased with his team’s start-to-end domination in the league.

The RCB took such a decision also keeping in mind the swearing-in ceremony of newly-appointed Karnataka Chief Minister DK Shivakumar.

Rishabh Pant quits LSG captaincy after IPL 2026 debacle

Published

2 weeks ago

May 29, 2026

Staff Reporter

Rishabh Pant has stepped down as Lucknow Super Giants captain following the IPL 2026 season. During his two-year stint, LSG failed to secure a playoff berth, managing only 10 wins under his leadership. The franchise finished seventh last season and ended this year at the bottom of the table. He was bought for INR 27 crore and was immediately handed the captaincy baton, but absolutely nothing worked well for the franchise since then.

“Lucknow Super Giants wish to formally announce that Rishabh Pant has requested to be relieved from his captaincy duties with the franchise, and the franchise has accepted the request with immediate effect,” LSG’s statement read.