Aakash Chopra questions ECB’s move to ease bio-bubble restrictions for Test series

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has taken a bold step and decided to do away with a strict bio-bubble environment in the ongoing summer. They haven’t tightened restrictions even for the upcoming five-match Test series between England and India despite cases in the home squad post the Sri Lanka series. The decision has been taken considering how long durations of stay inside a biosecure bubble can take a toll on a player’s mental health.

However, former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has expressed his concerns over this change. The former Indian opener opined that if something goes wrong during the series, then the consequences won’t be good. He gave an example of what happened recently when England had to bring a new squad for the Pakistan ODI series after a few members of the squad were tested positive with COVID-19.

If it is not strict, the virus does not take a long time to enter: Aakash Chopra

Chopra expressed his views in a video that was uploaded to his Youtube channel. With the restrictions eased down, the ex-cricketer expressed concerns related to this decision. “They are saying it will be a softer bubble, which means it is not that strict and if it is not strict, the virus does not take a long time to enter. I am now slightly concerned about what is going to happen,” Chopra said. 

The England-India Test series is all set to begin on August 4 in Trent Bridge and will go on till September 14. Since the COVID-19 pandemic has started there has not been any series with five Test matches, which could have been one of the reasons why the ECB took a decision. Chopra further pointed out the concerning aspects of easing restrictions.

“It seems the right thing to hear that there are lengthy bio-bubbles, obviously, there is fatigue and it takes a toll but what does it mean for the series? You saw just now that you had cases in the series against Pakistan and you fielded a new team, which also won but God forbid something like this happens in the Test matches,” Chopra said. 

Chopra further noted the ECB’s move to allow crowds inside the stadiums. In the recent ODI and T20I series between England and Pakistan, packed stadiums were seen. Recently, Rishabh Pant was tested positive with COVID. However, he is about to get back with the team having finished his isolation and also recovered.