Team India will be starting their preparation for the upcoming World Test Championship final against New Zealand in the UK from May 25 when they will be entering the bio-bubble in India. The eight-day bubble will be followed by another 10-day quarantine in England before the team takes on New Zealand in Southampton. Speaking to ANI, a BCCI official revealed the plans for the WTC final and the five-match Test series against England.

As per the quotes in ANI, the BCCI official said, “You can expect the boys to come into the bubble on May 25 as it will be an eight-day quarantine period which will not just involve testing against COVID-19. Once in UK on June 2, the boys will go for another 10-day quarantine. But this time the cricketers can train as they are moving from the bubble in India to the bubble in England in a charter plane.”

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Considering that the team ends the fifth Test against England on September 14, in Manchester, it will have been more than three months for the Indian team in the UK, and the official said that will see the players being allowed to travel with their families. Another important area of focus is the vaccination process and the official said it will need some more time before a clear picture can be drawn.

The official explained, “The Indian government has opened vaccination for every person above 18 so the players can take their first dose. But the second dose is the question here and while the BCCI is looking at working closely with the England and Wales Cricket Board to ensure players can get a second dose in the UK, if that is not approved by the UK government, we will have the vaccine taken from India for the second dose.”

The BCCI on Friday named a 20-member squad (two subject to fitness clearance) which will also have four standby players. Of the four standby players, three are fast bowlers — Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Arzan Nagwaswalla.

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Talking about the fast bowling attack, the official explained, “See, six fast bowlers in the main squad should be good enough unless you are unfortunate and have multiple injuries. So, these three will double up as net bowlers while keeping preparations on to be ready to be drafted into the main squad if needed.”