The Indian men's cricket team secured a thrilling victory by seven runs in the final match held in Barbados on Saturday, marking their first global tournament win since the 2013 Champions Trophy. However, it remains uncertain when the team will return home, as Indian media reported on Monday that they are stranded in Barbados due to the delay caused by Hurricane Beryl.
The Category 4 'extremely dangerous' storm, Hurricane Beryl, moved across the Atlantic Ocean on Sunday night, heading towards the Caribbean's Windward Islands. The US National Hurricane Center warned of life-threatening winds and flash flooding expected on Monday. Located approximately 150 miles southeast of Barbados, the hurricane had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, according to the NHC advisory.
The NHC's latest advisory stated that Beryl is anticipated to remain an extremely dangerous major hurricane as it passes through the Windward Islands into the eastern Caribbean. Due to the hurricane, the airport has been closed, and a curfew has been imposed in the city. Currently, the Indian team is residing at the Hilton Hotel.
Jay Shah, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, informed reporters that the team is 'stuck' in Barbados and will consider felicitation plans once their travel arrangements are clarified. Shah was quoted by ESPNcricinfo saying, "Like you, we are also stuck here. After the travel plans are clear, we will think about the felicitation."
In a separate announcement, Jay Shah revealed that around 25 team members, including coaching and support staff, will share nearly $15 million in prize money, a testament to their 'talent, determination, and sportsmanship'. This bonus is in addition to the record prize pool of $11.25 million for the tournament, from which India will receive $2.45 million.
India's cricket-obsessed nation celebrated the victory into the night, with fans donning blue India shirts and taking to the streets in cities across the country, including the capital, New Delhi.
