The West Indies cricket team is stranded in Kolkata after their exit from the T20 World Cup, having lost to India by five wickets. The defeat has left the team in a challenging situation as they await travel arrangements to return home.

Cricket West Indies is currently coordinating a charter flight for the team, which is expected to depart within the next 24 hours, pending air traffic approvals. This logistical effort comes in the wake of flight cancellations attributed to geopolitical tensions in West Asia, complicating the team’s return.

Akeal Hosein, a player on the team, humorously appealed for assistance from football star Cristiano Ronaldo, saying, “At this point, I’m better off asking Cristiano Ronaldo to send the jet and come rescue me, yes?” This light-hearted comment reflects the team’s frustration with their current predicament.

Darren Sammy, the head coach of the West Indies cricket team, has sought clarity on the travel logistics from the International Cricket Council (ICC). The team remains safe while waiting for these arrangements to be finalized, as confirmed by Cricket West Indies, which stated, “The team remains safe and well as arrangements continue to be finalized.”

The West Indies cricket team was eliminated from the 2026 T20 World Cup, marking another disappointing chapter in their recent cricketing history. As they navigate this unexpected delay, the focus remains on ensuring their safe return home.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timing of the charter flight and any further complications that may arise. Observers are hopeful that the situation will be resolved swiftly, allowing the team to return home without further incident.

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Sanju Samson delivered one of the most composed performances during a tense run chase, leading India to a five-wicket victory over the West Indies in Kolkata and securing a spot in the T20 World Cup semifinals.

Samson, who made his return to the Indian playing XI in the last match after being sidelined for three previous games, remained unbeaten on 97 as India secured a remarkable victory in front of a full house at Eden Gardens on Sunday.

The wicketkeeper-batter was the sole Indian player to surpass 30 runs as the defending champions confronted the Maroons in a crucial Super Eight match where the stakes were high.

During the match, Samson achieved the record for the highest score by an Indian in a T20 World Cup run chase, surpassing Virat Kohli’s 82 runs against Australia in 2016 and Pakistan in 2022.

The cohosts are set to compete against England in the second semifinal in Mumbai on Thursday, while New Zealand will clash with South Africa in the first semifinal match on Wednesday in Kolkata.

Samson’s composed attitude amidst a challenging target and a hopeful home audience set the stage for India’s pursuit after they lost key player Abhishek Sharma in the third over.

The 31-year-old player from southern India seized control of the match, consistently finding the boundary during his 50-ball innings. Samson finished with an unbeaten 97, which included 12 fours and four sixes.

Although he received some temporary backing from the top and middle order batsmen of India, none managed to exceed the 20-run threshold until Tilak Varma achieved 27 runs off 15 deliveries in a partnership of 42 runs with Samson.

Suryakumar Yadav (18) and Hardik Pandya (17) also made significant contributions to the score, which was finalized with two boundaries hit by Samson in the final over.

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West Indian bowlers Shamar Joseph and Jason Holder each claimed two wickets while their fellow teammates found it challenging to stem the tide of runs scored by Samson.

Previously, a solid 68-run opening stand from captain Shai Hope and Roston Chase provided the West Indies with a quick start to their innings against India.

Chase, who hit 40 runs off 25 deliveries, was the more dynamic of the two opening batsmen, capitalizing on his dropped catch by Abhishek Sharma to aggressively challenge Axar Patel and Jasprit Bumrah during the initial six overs.

Hope was out for 32 runs after a lackluster performance and was substituted by the in-form Shimron Hetmyer.

The fifth-ranked leading run-scorer of the cricket tournament raced to 27 runs off just 12 deliveries before being caught behind off Bumrah’s bowling.

India appeared to have the upper hand early on as the West Indies found themselves at 119-4 by the 15th over. However, a solid finish from Rovman Powell and Jason Holder propelled the 2012 and 2016 champions to a total of 195.

Powell remained not out at 34 while Holder scored 37 off 22 deliveries as they aimed to apply pressure on the pre-tournament favorites in front of a full house at Eden Gardens.

Bumrah stood out among the Indian bowlers, claiming two vital wickets in his four-over spell.

Pandya and Varun Chakravarthy took the remaining two wickets of the West Indies players.

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In the upcoming T20 World Cup match, Greenstone Lobo shares his insights on the crucial showdown between India and West Indies, which could determine their fate in the tournament.

Astrologer Greenstone Lobo has made a daring forecast ahead of the highly anticipated Super 8s showdown between India and West Indies at the legendary Eden Gardens this Sunday. The stakes are clear: the winner moves on to the semifinals, while the loser heads home. With a place in the semifinals at stake, Lobo shared insights on celestial influences, pressure factors, and what the stars indicate for India in this crucial match. “Panic buttons have been activated, with many reaching out to me asking, ‘Will India win the World Cup? Let’s not even talk about winning the World Cup; can we at least make it to the semifinals?’” Lobo stated to TimesofIndia.com. He recognized the prowess of the West Indies but emphasized that the cosmic alignments are in favor of India. “The West Indies is a formidable opponent, but historically, from the period of 1992 to 1994, only one team has excelled. We have three contenders: Pakistan, South Africa, and the West Indies captain. South Africa is clearly leading, so Pakistan and West Indies are unlikely to pose significant challenges. The team will struggle against India.” India approaches this critical match following a decisive 72-run victory over Zimbabwe at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. With South Africa already secured a spot in the semifinals, all attention shifts to Kolkata, where the victor will meet England in the next round. Lobo also pointed out the hidden chances for India. “Despite our loss [to South Africa] and the struggles of our openers, this could be beneficial for India. Players like Sanju Samson, who have not been in the playing XI, can now make an impact. Bringing in Samson could be crucial as he adds significant strength and was born in 1994, which is astrologically advantageous.” The pitch at Eden Gardens is expected to facilitate a high-scoring match. Temperatures in Kolkata are projected to range from 26°C to 31°C, with clear skies promising uninterrupted action. However, India’s net run rate (-0.100) raises concerns. The West Indies, coming off a substantial 101-run victory over Zimbabwe, boast a strong +1.791 NRR. In the unlikely scenario of rain disrupting the match, both teams would receive one point each. India’s lower NRR would lead to their elimination, while the West Indies would progress to the semifinals, intensifying the do-or-die atmosphere of Sunday’s encounter. Both teams have secured one win from two Super 8 matches, effectively making this a knockout situation. As Lobo concluded, “The team must give their all on the field, excel in every aspect, and this will provide India with the best opportunity to win. Whatever has transpired in earlier matches is a hidden advantage — the team’s strength will shine through, and India is poised to succeed.” This Sunday’s match at Eden Gardens is not merely a game; it represents a virtual quarterfinal between India and West Indies, as they compete in a T20 World Cup match.

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