Amid concerns over the fourth and the last Test at Gabba in Brisbane due to mandatory quarantine and tighter bio-bubble restrictions, legendary Indian cricketer, Sunil Gavaskar said that the BCCI is fully committed to protecting its team. Gavaskar mentioned that players have been asked to stay in the bubble but the crowds are allowed in the stands despite the curbs on mass gathering at public places.
A full crowd of 36,000 per day have been allowed for the final Test. The health scare in the city, however, now seems that those number of people will not be able to witness the game. According to the latest reports of Sydney Morning Herald, a hotel quarantine worker’s positive test to the more contagious UK strain of COVID-19 is the latest spanner in the works for CA’s hopes to close out the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at the Gabba.
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Talking about the same during the commentary on Channel 7, Gavaskar said, “In Sydney, there are people coming to the ground and then going back and having dinner at a restaurant or having a gathering of 20, 30 people in a pub. What they’re saying is they should also be allowed to do something similar. You could have a situation where the ball goes into the crowd, somebody from the crowd touches the ball. One can understand that.”
He further added, “One can understand why they’re feeling that way. The Queensland government is fully entitled to protect its people. Similarly, I believe the Board of Control for Cricket India is fully entitled to protect its team. I think that’s something we should never forget.”
Speaking to the media ahead of the third Test, India’s stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane said that the players were not annoyed, but quarantine did provide its set of challenges.
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During the virtual press conference ahead of the Sydney Test, “We are not at all annoyed but yes there are some challenges in quarantine as life in Sydney is completely normal. We all are prepared and we want to play some good cricket. We know that life in Sydney is normal but players are stuck in their rooms which is okay. First thing first, we are not complaining about anything and we are just focussed on the game. Just want to start well.”
