Transit visa problem delays cricketers' departure for WI

Mumbai, June 23 (PTI) Transit visa problems have delayed
the departure of three cricketers selected in the Indian squad
for the four-match One-Day International series in the West
Indies starting Friday.

Mumbai's Abhishek Nayar, Tamil Nadu's Murali Vijay and
Subramaniam Badrinath were the three cricketers awaiting their
UK transit visas to proceed for the West Indies via London,
according to Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) sources.

While Nayar and Vijay have obtained their visas Tuesday,
Badrinath is still waiting for the document.

"Abhishek and Vijay have got their visas and are leaving
tonight to London enroute Jamaica while Badrinath is leaving
tomorrow," sources said.

The delay in the departure has left the trio with little
time to get attuned to the conditions in the Caribbean before
the opening match of the series in Kingston, Jamaica on
Friday.

The trio has also not played any top-level cricket after
the conclusion of the Indian Premier League on May 24.

The players leaving tonight would be reaching Jamaica
only tomorrow evening (local time), sources said.

The remaining players of the 16-member strong touring
party, picked on June 17 and led by Mahindra Singh Dhoni, are
already in the West Indies and gearing up for the ODI series.

India will play their second to fourth ODIs on June 28
(Kingston, Jamaica), July 3 and 5 (both at Gros Islet, St
Lucia). PTI SSR