On Monday, Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) chief Saurav Ganguly was with the decision of the Indian players to not play the fifth test match against England as there were many concerns regarding the staff isolating and coach Ravi Shastri testing positive for COVID-19. The entire coaching staff was in self-isolation during the series. There were also reports that one of the Indian’s physiotherapists was also tested positive just before the commencement of the last test match, bringing tension and immediate decision taken by the board to cancel the last test match. This decision was taken after scrutiny and meetings for the safety of the players.
Saurav Ganguly claimed that the media shouldn’t blame the Indian players to not take the pitch for the final test match against England which was going to be played in Manchester. He strictly denied that there is no connection to this with the Indian Premier League as the decision was taken with importance. Physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar was in close contact with all the players. He also mixed freely with them and performed the COVID-19 test together as well.
BCCI has now also offered to play two extra T20 internationals in England next year after the last-minute cancellation by Team India ahead of the last test match in Manchester against England. The players were absolutely shocked when they came to know that he had tested positive for COVID-19.
Micheal Vaughan, former England’s captain also put his opinion by quoting that Indian players were petrified of testing positive ahead of the Indian Premier League starting 19th September. Later Tom Harrison, CEO of England Cricket Board denied all rumours as he said this has nothing to do with the IPL.
There is still a need for clarity of the actual result of the Test Series which India is 2-1 ahead of England. The England Cricket Board (ECB) has written to the world cricket governing body (ICC) to decide the fate of the cancelled fifth Test at Old Trafford.
