The 5-match Test series between India and England hasn’t even started and the Indian camp already has two positive Covid-19 cases. While Rishabh Pant was the first one, throwdown specialist Dayanand Garani has also contracted the virus, sending three more ‘close contacts’ into quarantine. Despite such a chaotic situation, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has ruled out sending any replacements or backup to England.
It was an injury to Shubman Gill that earlier created a demand for replacement in the Indian team, with the team management wanting at least one of Prithvi Shaw and Devdutt Padikkal to take his place. The selectors, however, put down the request asking the team to make use of the players they have.
Seeing the rise of fresh Covid-19 cases in England, there are fears that more positive cases could be on the way, especially since the ECB has decided to do away with the strict bio-bubble protocols for the series. Yet, replacements for the players due to Covid-19 isn’t a topic that BCCI is willing to entertain at present.
The BCCI ruled out the possibility of sending a replacement player to England after Pant was confirmed to have tested positive for the virus.
The selection committee is said to have picked a 20-member squad for the England tour as well as four standby players keeping in mind the challenges that may arise in England, including the novel coronavirus. The board feels there are enough backups available in all departments and, hence, the need for replacements shouldn’t arise.
The BCCI official was also asked about the possibility of Abhimanyu Easwaran being included in the team, especially in the wake of Shubman Gill’s injury. The official, however, said that it is a call that the team management has to take.
“This is a call to be taken by the selectors and the team management. The BCCI doesn’t interfere in selection matters.”
