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Xtra Time Web Desk: After being stranded in Barbados for two days due to Hurricane Beryl, the T20 World Cup-winning Indian cricket team, along with their support staff, BCCI officials, and players' families, is expected to return home on 2nd July, Tuesday evening.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley announced that the airport is anticipated to become operational within the next six to 12 hours. The island has been under lockdown since Sunday evening, following the life-threatening winds and storms brought by Hurricane Beryl. The category 4 hurricane caused significant damage to coastal infrastructure, leaving the Indian cricket team unable to depart after their seven-run victory over South Africa on Saturday.

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PM Mottley, who has been actively involved in overseeing relief operations, expressed optimism about resuming normal airport operations shortly. "We hope, and we're working towards later today. I don't want to speak in advance of it, but I've literally been in touch with the airport personnel and they're doing their last checks now and we want to resume normal operations as a matter of urgency," Mottley told PTI.

PTI reported, citing a source, that the team is expected to depart from Bridgetown at 6 PM local time (3:30 AM IST on July 3) and arrive in Delhi by 7:45 PM IST on Wednesday by a chartered flight. Upon their arrival, the players are expected to be honored by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, although this event has not yet been confirmed. Travelling Indian media are also expected to travel with the players. But So far, there has been no official statement from the BCCI.

The disruption has impacted many travel plans, with people having intended to leave either late last night, today, or tomorrow morning.
"(We have) been working to ensure that everyone is safe in Barbados, Barbadians and all of the visitors, of course, who came for the cricket World Cup. We were very blessed that the storm did not come on land. The hurricane was 80 miles south of us, which limited the level of damage on shore. But as you can see, we've had coastal infrastructure, and coastal assets have been badly damaged," Mottley said.

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The PM emphasized the pressing need for recovery and cleanup efforts. The timeframe for the Indian team to leave is tight, with another hurricane forecasted to arrive on Wednesday. "It could have been a lot worse, but now is the time to do the recovery and the cleanup. We have another hurricane coming on Wednesday," PM Mottley added.

The Indian cricket team celebrated the end of an 11-year ICC title drought with their recent victory, which has significantly lifted their spirits despite being temporarily stranded in Barbados. The team's win adds a triumphant note to their situation as they await their return home after Hurricane Beryl caused travel disruptions.