BCCI puts strict directives for players before England tour

India is all set to travel to England for the final of the World Test Championship in the month of June and BCCI has put out some strict rules for the high-profile tour. The Indian board has made it clear to all the players that if any player is found positive on his arrival in Mumbai, he will be straightaway dropped from the WTC final and England series squad.

All the players are expected to complete their mandatory quarantine period of eight days in the Mumbai bio bubble before flying to England. The board has asked players to quarantine themselves at home before landing in Mumbai. The Indian contingent will leave for the WTC final and the subsequent England series on June 2, 2021.

“The players have been informed to consider their tour over if they are found positive on their arrival in Mumbai as BCCI will not arrange another charter flight for any cricketer,” said a BCCI official while talking to the Indian Express.

Any positive case while arriving in Mumbai can have a serious impact on the upcoming tour as the player will not have the time to make a comeback. The schedule is jam-packed and this why, players, staff, and their family members will go through rigorous rounds of COVID-19 testing before flying to England. Since players will be landing in Mumbai from all over the country, BCCI has put a strict bio-bubble in place.

Two COVID-19 negative reports required by players before reaching Mumbai

“The players, support staff, and families will be tested and two negative reports are required before they leave for Mumbai. It will be done in order to ensure that they are coming into the bubble without any infection. The players have also been given the option to travel by air or car to reach Mumbai,” added the official.

The BCCI has also asked the Indian players to take the dose of Covishield and not covaxin before flying to England so that the second dose can be made available to them there itself.