India men’s and women’s cricket teams are scheduled to visit England for a long tour in these unprecedented times following strict quarantine rules have become part of the preparations. According to reports, teh cricketers will be undergoing quarantine in their hotel rooms for 2 weeks in Mumbai before arriving in England and isolating themselves for 10 more days there. Given the circumstances, the players from both the men’s and women’s teams have asked to report in Mumbai.
On Tuesday, BCCI was accused of bias between the men’s and women’s teams. Some of the reports have suggested that the board has arranged charter flights to ferry players to Mumbai were arranged only for the men’s team players, while India Women cricketers could be asked to take commercial routes.
However, the women’s T20I team skipper, Harmanpreet Kaur herself took to Twitter on Tuesday evening and cleared the debate over charter and commercial flights for men’s and women’s cricket team players and support staff. Harmanpreet asserted that BCCI also made an effort of organizing charter flights for all the players and choices have been made individually according to the convenience of players.
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Harmanapreet Kaur tweeted, “The BCCI has organized Charter flights to ferry both men and women players to Mumbai before we leave for the UK. Considering the distance and individual convenience players have made their own choice.”
The BCCI has organised Charter flights to ferry both men and women players to Mumbai before we leave for the UK. Considering the distance and individual convenience players have made their own choice.
— Harmanpreet Kaur (@ImHarmanpreet) May 18, 2021
To get on the charter flight players were required to isolate themselves for a period of three days. Even the driver, who will drive the person to the airport will be required to isolate himself. Multiple tests have to be done during the period. Some players were not in favor of isolating themselves away from their family ahead of the long England tour.
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As per the reports of India Today, men’s team wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha could also opt for a commercial flight to travel to Mumbai. Also, India Women ODI and Test team captain Mithali Raj has opted for a charter flight. Jhulan Goswami and Richa Ghosh are expected to board commercial flights from Kolkata.
Traveling is a challenge in the pandemic but it is reassuring to see elaborate measures by BCCI for our health and safety. A charter ✈️ to Mumbai and UK and regular RT-PCR Tests at home. #LetsDoThis
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) May 18, 2021
The men’s team will be locking horns with New Zeeland in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) scheduled to be commencing on June 18 in Southampton and then play a 5- match Test series against England. The women’s team will start their tour with a one-off Test in Bristol from June 16. Later, they will face England in 3 ODIs and as many T20Is.
