The West Indies and South Africa cricket teams are scheduled to leave India after being stranded due to travel restrictions caused by the Middle East conflict following their T20 World Cup campaigns.
West Indies' commanding victory over Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup has significantly increased the pressure on India to win their remaining matches by a substantial margin to secure a spot in the semifinals.
India's virtual T20 World Cup quarterfinal against West Indies at Eden Gardens will be played on the same pitch that produced the tournament's first 200-plus total, with dew and spin likely to play key roles.
West Indies players are leaving India on commercial flights in batches after their departure was delayed due to international airspace closures amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Caribbean side's governing body CWI said on Tuesday.
Hope to lead West Indies in T20 World Cup; Sampson, Joseph included
The ICC said the South African contingent had begun departing for home on Wednesday with "four players and five family members having boarded the flight".
The Eden Gardens was packed to the rafters as Indian fans, tri-colour in tow, cheered the Indian team in their last Super 8 match against the West Indies in Kolkata on Sunday.
The West Indies and South Africa, both undefeated, will battle in a Super 8 match of the T20 World Cup. The West Indies' powerful batting will be tested by South Africa's balanced bowling attack. The result could significantly impact India's chances of reaching the semi-finals.
Shimron Hetmyer's explosive innings of 85 runs powered West Indies to a commanding 107-run victory over Zimbabwe in the T20 World Cup Super 8s match.
India and West Indies clash in a high-stakes virtual quarter-final on Sunday, with the winner advancing to the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
West Indies captain Shai Hope took responsibility for his slow batting in their T20 World Cup match against India, which led to their elimination from the mega-event.
Sanju Samson's majestic knock of 97 from 50 balls single-handedly powered India to a five-wicket win over West Indies to seal their spot in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup.
Scotland, a late entry into the T20 World Cup, is set to face West Indies in their opening match. Scotland aims to prove their worth and cause upsets against higher-ranked teams, while West Indies look to leverage their experience and firepower.
Clarity of roles driving WI's clinical run into Super Eights: Shai Hope
Shimron Hetmyer's brilliant counter-attack with the bat and Romario Shepherd's hat-trick powered West Indies to an emphatic 35-run victory against Scotland.
India remained on course for a 2-0 series sweep after enforcing the follow-on but West Indies produced a much better batting display in their second innings to reach 173-2 on day three of the second and final Test in New Delhi on Sunday.
Batting great Sunil Gavaskar hailed Sanju Samson after his match-winning knock powered India to a five-wicket victory in the must-win match against West Indies in the T20 World Cup.
India beat West Indies by seven wickets in the second and final Test to complete a 2-0 series sweep at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Tuesday.
'With the ease and the calmness that he batted, it gave us a lot of confidence that now, probably, we are on the right track.'
India crushed West Indies by an innings and 140 runs inside three days in the first Test to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series, in Ahmedabad, on Saturday.
New Zealand will pin their hopes on a rookie attack and field a new wicketkeeper when they take on the West Indies in the second Test in Wellington starting on Wednesday following a slew of injuries.
Shubman Gill struck his 10th Test century, while Ravindra Jadeja picked up three wickets as India dominated Day 2 of the second Test against West Indies, in Delhi, on Saturday.
The home side, chasing a 2-0 series sweep, reduced West Indies to 140-4 with left-armer Jadeja (3-37) leading the way.
It remains to be seen if the selectors pick Jasprit Bumrah for both Tests considering that there is only is a three day gap between the Asia Cup final and the first Test against the West Indies.
The short turnaround time from the high of winning a controversy-marred Asia Cup notwithstanding, Shubman Gill's India will be outright favourites against a struggling and under-strength West Indies when the teams face-off on a green-top in the first Test in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
West Indies left-arm spinner Jomel Warrican stressed that seizing crucial moments will be the key to competing in the two-match series against India.
Legendary Brian Lara said the struggling West Indies would "find a way" in getting their act together in Test cricket if they really had "cricket at heart".
Rishabh Pant is yet to recover from the injury suffered during the fourth Test against England in Manchester in July.
West Indies trounced Nepal by 10 wickets in the inconsequential third and final T20 International to avoid the humiliation of a series sweep.
West Indies players want to make a name, a living but Caribbean is struggling with finances: Chase
West Indies women cricketers undergo two-week training camp at CSK Academy
The lack of quality first class cricket in the Caribbean has impacted the Test team badly and considering that, West Indies skipper Roston Chase wants the current bunch of players to get a longer run so that they can learn on the job.
Indians are among most passionate fans of the West Indies cricket team, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi while addressing the joint assembly of Trinidad and Tobago's parliament on Friday.
India won 18 series at home over 12 years, until it all unravelled late last year against New Zealand.
This is Nepal's first-ever series victory against a Test playing nation.
India Test captain Shubman Gill indicated that the team is moving away from its preference for rank turners in home Test matches.
Legendary West Indies batsman Sir Vivian Richards expressed his disappointment and frustration at the absence of the Caribbean side from the Champions Trophy, urging them to emulate Afghanistan's rise in world cricket. Richards highlighted Afghanistan's fighting spirit and consistent performances, contrasting their presence in the tournament with the West Indies' exclusion.
Olly Stone is targeting a return to full fitness by August, the ECB added
Deepti Sharma did the star turn with career-best figures of 6/31 before doing her bit with the bat as India completed a 3-0 whitewash of the West Indies
Former England captain Michael Vaughan suggests that South Africa's victory over the West Indies in the Super 8s of the T20 World Cup inadvertently paved the way for India's successful campaign.
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