RCB's Mike Hesson thanks PM Modi for helping him return to New Zealand after being stranded in India

Since the outbreak of the coronavirus, many people have been left stranded in different parts of the world due to the lockdowns imposed by various governments. Everything came to a halt especially sporting events.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) which was to be held on March 29 was postponed to April 15 and now has been pushed off till further notice. Amid all this, Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) Director of Cricket Mike Hesson, who was stranded in India for over a month has returned to his home in New Zealand.

The former New Zealand player had arrived in India on March 5 for the 13th edition of the cash-rich tournament but was stuck in the country after the lockdown was imposed and all flights were suspended. 

On Tuesday, the 45-year-old confirmed his return to New Zealand. Taking to social media, the former Black Caps head coach said, “What a wonderful sight after spending over a day on a bus to get to Mumbai airport. The staff on Air New Zealand were simply outstanding on our return to New Zealand”.

In his tweet, Hesson also thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the New Zealand Embassy in India, New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. 

“Special thanks to Down pointing backhand index @NZinIndia @MFATNZ @narendramodi @jacindaardern #repatriationflight #india #NZ” he added.

— Mike Hesson (@CoachHesson) April 27, 2020

As for the pandemic, to curb the virus from spreading, India and New Zealand had announced lockdowns in their respective countries last month.

While India remains in lockdown till May 3, New Zealand eased its stringent measures on Tuesday.