The Board of Control for India may just re-evaluate the decision to allow Indian men’s Test team players a 20-day break from the bio-bubble restrictions in England as the UK has experienced a sudden spike in COVID-19 positive cases.
Speaking to PTI, a BCCI official confirmed that the touring contingent will be allowed a 20-day break within the UK before the players rejoin the Indian camp ahead of the five-Test series against England.
“The squad travelled together to London (from Southampton). From here they can all leave for their respective destinations within UK for a 20-day break,”
the official had said on conditions of anonymity.
The decision to allow players the break following the loss in the World Test Championship against New Zealand could now be revoked. BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said the board is assessing the situation in England and may have to impose a few restrictions if they find the players’ health safety in danger.
“We are monitoring the situation and if the condition worsens, we will take a call accordingly. We haven’t taken a final call on it yet,”
Dhumal told InsideSport, even as Indian players and broadcast crew members have been moving freely post the WTC final.
The number of positive cases in the UK has risen steadily over the past week, leading to a situation where Indian players might have to go back to bubble life.
A final decision from the BCCI is awaited in this regard. The board had early made arrangements for the Test contingent’s two-part isolation and first doses of vaccination. Kohli and company went through a phase of quarantine in Mumbai and isolated for another in Southampton, albeit with the exemption to train. While they were in Mumbai, the players were given their first jabs and also got permission to travel with their families, considering the length of the trip after the UK government’s decision to relax the lockdown restrictions.
The Indian board hopes to provide its players with the second jabs before they focus their energies towards the five-Test series against England. But the immediate concern is whether the 20-day break will go ahead or not. The break would help travelling Test cricketers enjoy some time off before cricket takes centre stage.
“Some of them are tennis fans and if Wimbledon allows spectators, you might see them going for some of the show court matches. A few might be checking out if tickets for the Euro games at Wembley are available,”
the BCCI official had told PTI.
Having suffered a painful eight-wicket defeat to NZ in the WTC final, Indians do need some time away from the on-field action and public scrutiny, with alternative sporting events happening in the UK providing an opportunity to recharge themselves.
If the break goes ahead, the players will assemble on July 14 and travel to Nottingham for the first Test against England, starting August 4. However, that might change if the BCCI finds the plan to allow players to wander about a dangerous prospect to their safety at this point in time. In that case, Indian players could be shifted to a designated facility and play some extra intra-squad matches ahead of the England series.
The series begins in Trent Bridge before Lord’s (August 12-16), Headingley (August 25-29), The Oval (September 2-6) and Manchester (September 10-14) host the next four Test matches, respectively.
