The Indian cricket board seems to be miffed with head coach Ravi Shastri and the skipper of the team Virat Kohli for being a part of a public gathering in London post which Shastri and a few others had tested covid positive during the fourth test at Oval. BCCI has slammed Ravi Shastri, head coach, and Virat Kohli, skipper, for making an unnecessary appearance in the event.
Head coach Ravi Shastri had tested covid positive on Saturday evening while bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar and physio Nitin Patel were identified as his close contact. The four mentioned were immediately sent into isolation while the rest of the Indian contingent was cleared to play the test match after a series of the covid negative reports.
The entire Indian contingent touring England for a long five matches test series attended a book launch event in London ahead of the Oval test match where the room was jam-packed with the outsiders. It is also learnt that the team hadn’t sought any official approval from the BCCI to make their presence in the book launch event.
The images from the event were circulated all over the internet and a few of them were also sent to the BCCI for further probe. The board will have a look into the matter and the skipper along with the head coach will be liable for interrogation. The report also indicates that the administrative manager of the Indian team Girish Dongre is also under the BCCI’s scanner.
A few reports from British media confirms that the Indian management didn’t either seek approbation from the England Cricket Board (ECB).
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BCCI wants a complete wrap of the test series without any hinderance:
“As of now, the BCCI is in constant talks with ECB and wants to ensure the test series completion without any further hindrance. The board also wants Shastri to recover soon,” a close BCCI official source informed.
The source also claimed that the board have scheduled a meet on Wednesday to discuss the T20 World Cup squad and the matter of breach could be raised there.
The incident left the Indian board a little embarrassed because Jay Shah, secretary of BCCI, forewarned the touring team to have a little caution and refrain from attending the crowded places. The notice was released by Mr Shah after a few members of the Indian team tested covid positive ahead of the series opener.
It can’t be convincingly said that Ravi Shastri fell sick only after attending the event. The lift in the team hotel which the Indian team use is also used by other guests in the hotel. However, the BCCI feels that the presence in the event was unnecessary and could have been skipped.
Team India won the fourth test match at the Oval in the absence of head coach Ravi Shastri and a few other support staff members, who are currently serving isolation. Virat Kohli and Co made a turnaround after getting reduced below 200 in the first innings. The team showed character to crush the hosts in the fourth test match by 157 runs.
The bowling unit decapitated 10 wickets on day five to retain the Pataudi Trophy 2021. The visitor has gone up by 2-1 after winning the fourth test match.
The final test of the series will be held at Manchester, starting September 10.
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