India vs West Indies last two T20Is to go as per schedule after players attain their travel documents: Cricket West Indies (CWI) can, finally, take a sigh of relief after their efforts to get the outstanding visas of the remaining players of the Indian and West Indies contingent were successful. The two sides will now travel to the United States of America for the final two T20I fixtures.
The timely intervention of the Guyana President has fetched the desired results albeit in the eleventh hour. “It was a timely and influential diplomatic effort by his [Guyana President Irfan Ali] Excellency,” said Ricky Skerritt, the president of Cricket West Indies (CWI).
Notably, personnel with pending approval of the US visa were flown to Georgetown in Guyana after the third T20I for an interview at the Embassy of the United States. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma and head coach Rahul Dravid were among 14 those who went for the interview from the Indian contingent.
Players who had got their travel documents earlier were airlifted to Miami following the completion of the third T20I. Players including R Ashwin, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja and Suryakumar Yadav have landed in Miami. These players will be joined by the rest of the squad on Thursday night.
“They can fly only tomorrow afternoon. All Visa applications have been approved but passports are not to be returned until this afternoon,” Skerritt said, revealing the reason for the delayed travel. “All that the CWI could do has been done. Last night’s charter to Miami, for those previously with visas, was at greater financial risk to delay it than to operate it as previously planned,” Skerritt further said.
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Updated on Rohit Sharma’s Injury:
Fortunately, the Indian skipper will be available to play in the last two T20Is in Florida, USA. Rohit was retired hurt in the third T20I after playing just five deliveries due to a back spasm.
Sharma had scored 11 runs off five deliveries which included a six and a boundary. However, his appearance was hampered after he advanced down the track in one of the deliveries against Alzarri Joseph. He looked in a little discomfort as the Indian physio attended him briefly on the ground. He then decided to walk off the ground.
Soon the BCCI released the statement that the skipper has suffered a back spasm and the medical team is monitoring him. Meanwhile, Rohit is reported to have recovered successfully and will play in the 4th and 5th T20I against West Indies.
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