Disappointed by the turn of events, BCCI is reconsidering whether it should turn the four-round series into a three-game contest and end the series with the pink test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Speaking to ANI, a BCCI official aware of developments in recent days said Bates’s comments were unwarranted and should have been avoided as the Indian board has sought to be united with Cricket Australia and make sure the course runs smoothly.
The official said that if a public representative does not want the team to go to play, it is painful. Noting that Rohit Sharma undergoes a 14-day quarantine after landing in Sydney, the official said it is sad to spread the opinion that the Indian team does not want to follow the rules.
“The statement made by the public representative portrays the Indians in low light and let me assure you that we do not want to do anything other than comply with the rules, and the strict quarantine of Rohit Sharma is one such example. we do not want to follow the rules is unacceptable and the tone and tenor with which it was said seemed full of hostility and bordered on racism, so it is not surprising that a rethinking is being raised.
“If a representative of the public does not want us there, it is painful and the last thing we want is to upset the Australian fans who have given us so much love and support over the years. We do not want to make it difficult for them or for Cricket Australia.” said the official.
In doubt about whether the Indian team would be willing to follow strict quarantine protocols for the final test of the series on The Gabba, Bates said: “If the Indians don’t want to follow the rules, don’t come.”
She had also posted the statement on social media and Queensland’s Shadow Sports Minister Tim Mander echoed her sentiments.
“If he Indian cricket team he wants to spit out the dummy and ignore the quarantine guidelines in Brisbane for the fourth test, then they shouldn’t come, “Mander said, as reported by Fox Sports.
“The same rules should apply to everyone. Simple,” he added.
Cricket Australia Acting Chief Executive Officer Nick Hockley clarified on Monday that India has not formally said anything regarding the fourth test match in Brisbane and the series will continue as planned from now on.
“We have had nothing formal from BCCI to suggest anything other than their support. We speak with our counterparts at BCCI on a daily basis and have clarified in the last 24 hours what the precise requirements are in Brisbane,” cricket.com. au quoted Hockley as saying.
“There have been some reports that players will be confined to their rooms, that’s not the case. Usually for a test match, players arrive on the field between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m. and are there until 6 a.m. or 7 pm and then it’s back to the hotel to rest and recuperate and they can mingle within their groups. So everyone is totally in agreement and support, “he added.
Earlier, Team India The players completed what was one of the most difficult weekends for them on Australian soil on this tour with a negative test for coronavirus and the results will arrive on Monday morning.
Amid unwanted media scrutiny after five Indian players, Rohit Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh pants, Shubman gill and Navdeep Saini – had gone to a restaurant in Melbourne, they have shown that all the necessary protocols were followed.
“Members of the Indian cricket team and support staff underwent an RT-PCR test for Covid-19 on January 3, 2021. All tests were negative,” the BCCI said.
The third round between India and Australia will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, starting on January 7.
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