‘Worst Airline’: Hours-Long Delay Triggers Siraj’s Outburst at Air India Express

India fast-bowler Mohammad Siraj on Wednesday night publicly criticised Air India Express after facing a prolonged delay on his flight from Guwahati to Hyderabad.

Siraj said his flight IX 2884, scheduled to depart at 7:25 pm, did not take off as planned, and passengers were left waiting for hours without any proper communication. In a post on X, he wrote that despite repeated queries, the airline kept delaying the flight without giving a clear reason.

“Flight delayed by four hours and still no update… Worst airline experience,” Siraj wrote, urging travellers to be cautious before booking with the carrier.

Minutes after his post, Air India Express responded publicly, apologising for the inconvenience. The airline said the flight had been cancelled due to unforeseen operational reasons and assured that its airport staff were assisting passengers with alternative arrangements.

Siraj was travelling home after India’s heavy 408-run defeat to South Africa, which handed the hosts a 0–2 series loss—their second straight Test whitewash after a 3–0 defeat to New Zealand last year. The loss was India’s biggest-ever Test defeat by runs and South Africa’s largest winning margin against them.

India, who lost the first Test by 30 runs in Kolkata, will now turn their focus to the three-match ODI series starting November 30.