BCCI to seek an explanation from Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli for attending public event in England
India became victorious in the fourth Test against England at the Oval playing some superb cricket. That was after some brilliant display in the second innings. England had 99 run lead after the first innings and after that a brilliant 127 from Rohit Sharma started a counter attack. India gave England a mammoth total of 368 to chase in the fourth innings.
Despite a very good opening stand of live cricket between Rory Burns and Hasim Hameed, England batting collapsed after the lunch in the final day. Jasprit Bumrah’s brilliant spell of bowling rattled the England middle order alongside contributions from Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja and Shardul Thakur who in particular had probably the best game of his career.
What a top BCCI official was quoted as saying by TOI on Monday?
Things are looking good on the pitch for team India but off the pitch there are some issues that are making some concerns for the BCCI. India team head coach Ravi Shastri tested positive for coronavirus with Bharat Arun and R Sridhar also effected.
Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli attended a public event recently where Shastri’s book was launched. The BCCI will be looking for explanation from the two regarding this because they did not take any approval from England and Wales Cricket Board [ECB] for the same.
“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.”
“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 UK government ended Covid restrictions recently for the public with the situation in UK is under control now and there is no strict bio-bubble for the cricketers in the ongoing test series.
However, the BCCI secretary asked all the players not to attend any public event to stay safer during the series. The players were only allowed to visit less crowded places. It seems like Shastri contacted the virus at his book launch event. After Kohli and Shastri breached the rules, now there will be a strict bio-bubble for the fifth and final test in Manchester.
What the official further went on to add about the whole scenario that created the problem in the first place?
“This was not an official event that either of the boards had organized. This incident is all the more unsettling because BCCI secretary Jay Shah had written to every team member before the series, asking them to be cautious and refrain from attending crowded events. The action of the team has not gone down well with the board.”
“Without a doubt, there will surely be a proper bubble in Manchester. There is the IPL also coming up in UAE. That will start just five days after the fifth Test finishes. The players will have to move in a bubble to UAE as well. Else they will have to serve quarantine period upon reaching Dubai. Hopefully, there will not be any further incidents like this once the team does enter the bubble.”
After a historic win at the Oval, India will be looking to end the series on a winning note in Manchester in the fifth test. If they do it, this will be India’s first test series win after 14 years in England.
Can Team India win this series and make a bold statement?
All Team India needs now is a draw. If they win, it will be a huge statement. If not and they hold on to a draw, Virat Kohli and co. will register a historic Test series’ win in England.
Keeping that in mind, the focus will be to play some really good cricket. Winning is always something that King Kohli likes and that too in the longest format of the game.
Even if they lose the game and end up drawing the series, the Indian team would have made the fans proud. This team has shown a fighting spirit and won a couple of brilliant matches. Hopefully, more follows!!
