South Africa star accuses ICC of Bias after England leave India but WI, SA remain stranded in Kolkata

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South Africa cricketer Quinton de Kock has taken a direct dig at International Cricket Council (ICC) amid the ongoing flight issues for the ousted teams in the ongoing T20 World Cup 2026.

Travel woes persist for eliminated teams due to the US-Iran conflict closing West Asian airspace. The ongoing war has crippled flights worldwide, stranding squads like West Indies, South Africa, and England in India.

England departs India; WI, SA set to leave on Sunday

Amid this, England have left India on Saturday and are headed to London via a charter flight. South Africa and West Indies, knocked out earlier, plan a shared departure from Kolkata on Sunday, but the flight details are yet to be confirmed. They'll land first in Johannesburg, with the West Indies crew pressing on to Antigua. Schedules are tentative, but insiders point to the weekend.

Both teams have been holed up in Kolkata: South Africa since their March 4 semi-final loss to New Zealand, and West Indies since their Super Eights defeat to India on March 1 - a full week of delays that's irked coach Darren Sammy and batter Shimron Hetmyer, who vented on social media.

Quinton de Kock accuses ICC of Bias

And amid this, Quinton de Kock has taken to social media, accusing ICC of bias as England have left the country before the Proteas. He took a scathing attack on his Instagram story, took his frustration out on Saturday.

"Funny ICC we have heard... nothing! Meanwhile England are leaving before us somehow!? West Indies and South Africa are just in the dark! Strange how different teams have pull more than others," De Kock wrote.

UAE, Qatar, Bahrain - being under attack by Iran in the war, have shut their airspace for commercial airlines. This has put a huge dent in travel across the globe, as multiple connecting flights are scheduled through this region.