The Indian T20 World Cup team finally got the chance to fly home from Barbados on Tuesday, ending their two-day stranding caused by Hurricane Beryl. The team had won the tournament against South Africa on Saturday, but their departure was delayed due to the airport suspending operations as the storm approached.
Hurricane Beryl had intensified into a Category 5 Atlantic hurricane on Monday, becoming the earliest such hurricane on record. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced that the airport would resume operations within six to twelve hours in order to facilitate those who were meant to leave.
The storm hit Carriacou Island in Grenada, causing significant damage and one reported death. Other areas in the Caribbean, including St. Vincent and the Grenadines as well as Barbados, suffered from power outages and damage to numerous homes. The storm continued to gain strength with winds reaching 165 miles per hour and was expected to impact Jamaica, prompting disaster response measures to be activated.
India’s T20 World Cup victory was a moment of emotional triumph for the team, marking their first win since 2007. This achievement came after a difficult year for many players who had faced disappointment in other major cricket events earlier in the year.
