Xtra Time Web Desk: Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has defended Rishabh Pant for not wearing a mask while visiting Wembley Stadium last month to watch Euro 2020 match during the break in London. There has been a lot of criticism aimed at the wicket keeper batsman ever since the news broke he was tested positive for COVID-19.
Pant visited the Wembley stadium to watch the Euro 2020 pre quarter final clash between hosts England and Germany. He was seen with his friends at the stadium with none of them wearing a mask. Fans did question on the social media why the Delhi cricketer was not wearing a mask. The fears did turn true as he was tested positive for COVID-19
Ganguly came forward in defence of Pant stating it is physically ‘impossible’ to wear a mask all the time.
“We have seen Euro Championship and Wimbledon in England. Rules have changed (with the crowd being allowed inside venues). They were on leave and it’s physically impossible to wear mask all the time,” Ganguly told News18.
Asked about whether he is worried about the Indian squad who are gearing up for the Test series against England after Pant’s case came to light, Ganguly replied: “No worries. They will be fine.”
BCCI said Pant’s health is being monitored closely and he will join the rest of the Indian cricketers in Durham if he returns two negative RT-PCR tests.
The Indian team is slated to play a three day warm-up match against a County Select XI at Durham from July 20-22.