BCCI has clearly told the India Test squad to isolate themselves till the time they assemble in Mumbai and board flight to England and those testing positive for the coronavirus can consider their tour over.
Last week, BCCI named a 20-man squad for the England tour where they will play six Tests including the final of the ICC World Test Championship against New Zealand.
BCCI: Players Informed To Consider Their England Tour Over If They Are Found To Be Covid-19 Positive
BCCI will reportedly not arrange a charter flight for anyone who is found to have contracted the virus.
“The players have been informed to consider their tour over if they are found positive on their arrival in Mumbai as BCCI will not arrange another charter flight for any cricketer,” The Indian Express quoted a source as saying.
Players like Virat Kohli, Ishant Sharma, Ajinkya Rahane, Cheteshwar Pujara and Umesh Yadav took their first vaccine doses on Monday while a few players will be taking them in the forthcoming days. The BCCI has asked players to get in touch if they don’t have access to the Covishield vaccine, and the Board will arrange it for them.
BCCI: Players, Support Staff And Families Will Be Tested Prior To Leaving For Mumbai And 2 Negative Reports Required
The RT-PCR tests will be conducted on the players’ families too before departing for Mumbai. Upon landing in Mumbai, another test will be conducted before they enter their hotel. BCCI is being extra cautious after the IPL 2021 was suspended when several players tested positive for covid-19 despite being part of a bio-secure bubble for over a month.
“The players, support staff and families will be tested and two negative reports are required before they leave for Mumbai. It will be done in order to ensure that they are coming into the bubble without any infection,” the daily quoted another BCCI source as saying.
The players have been given the option to reach Mumbai either by car or flight. They have also been asked to vaccinate themselves with the first dose of Covishield – a variant of AstraZeneca which is available in England.
Just within 24 hours of getting selected as one of the reserves players for the Indian Test team for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship Final 2021 and the subsequent series against England, Prasidh Krishna’s tour seems at risk. The young Karnataka pacer was tested positive with coronavirus, on his return from IPL 2021. It has been reported that his chances of going with the team to England will depend on the fitness which will be assessed before the team leaves.