Xtra Time Web Desk: The Indian cricketers are likely to face a strict bio-bubble once they reach Manchester for the fifth and final test match of the series. As per a report in TOI the England and Wales Cricket Board is not happy with the Indian team Head Coach Ravi Shastri attending a gathering along with the players for the launch of his new book. Shastri along with bowling coach Bharat Arun, fielding coach R Sridhar and physio Nitin Patel have all tested positive in RT-PCR test taken on Sunday and are now isolating themselves. All of them will not be allowed to travel to Manchester for the crucial fifth test match of the series.
BCCI Honorary joint secretary Jay Shah had instructed the team ahead of the start of the series to avoid attending any public event during their stay in England in order to minimise the risk of contracting Covid-19. Yet, Shastri and Kohli seem to have defied the instructions from the BCCI secretary. The entire situation has left the Indian board embarrassed as the team management had not taken any permission from England and Wales Cricket Board to attend the event.
“Photos from the event have been shared with BCCI officials. The board will probe the matter. This incident has left the board embarrassed. The coach and the captain will be asked to explain the circumstances after the fourth Test at Oval. The team’s administrative manager Girish Dongre’s role is also under the scanner,” a top BCCI official was quoted as saying by TOI on Monday.
“The BCCI is in touch with ECB and trying to ensure the series is completed without any further incidents. As of now, everyone is hoping that Shastri recovers soon. There is a selection meeting for the T20 World Cup on Wednesday. Maybe the matter will be raised there,” the official added.
There will be a proper bubble in Manchester. The Indian team along with the IPL bound English players will have to move in a bubble from Manchester to UAE, else they will have to serve quarantine period upon reaching Dubai.