The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical officer is under the scanner for mishandling the possible covid-19 outbreak inside the bio-bubble of Team India during the recent tour of Sri Lanka. Indian all-rounder Krunal Pandya was found positive for the virus and it put things out of order for Team India.
India toured Sri Lanka in July for a series of three ODIs and three T20Is. India sent a second-string team with several first-choice players were busy in England preparing for the Test series.
Also Read: Krunal Pandya tests positive for Covid-19, second T20I postponed
Everything was going smoothly until Krunal Pandya returned a positive result of covid-19. He, subsequently, put eight other teammates under threat as they were in close contact and couldn’t feature in the remaining games.
However, the reports are suggesting all this could have been avoided had it not been for the leniency of the BCCI medical officer on the tour. Krunal immediately informed the team doctor Abhijit Salvi of having pain in his throat. Salvi didn’t arrange a Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) and didn’t ask Krunal to get isolated.
Krunal was allowed to participate in the team meeting before undergoing a test. Eventually, he returned a positive result and eight other players had to isolate themselves after coming in close contact with him. Later on, Yuzvendra Chahal and K Gowtham were found positive as well.
Also Read: Krunal Pandya is excited about Sri Lanka tour
“Krunal had throat pain on July 26 and he followed the protocol informing the medical officer. It is strange that he should have been immediately isolated with a Rapid Antigen Test (self-test kit) done. But nothing of that sort happened,” Hindustan Times quoted a BCCI source as per saying.
“Although Rapid Antigen Test is not conclusive but it’s the first part of protocol. But I can confirm, Krunal despite throat pain attended team meeting. In fact, another question that’s being raised is how come BCCI’s medical team in Sri Lanka agreed to testing every fifth day whereas in IPL, testing is done every third day,” the source added.
The second T20I between India and Sri Lanka got postponed after the positive case in the India camp. Several key players were put in isolation and India got short of resources and had to play with five batsmen and six bowlers for the remaining two T20Is. As a result, India conceded the T20I series by 2-1 to Sri Lanka.
