Indian cricket team has been dominating the headlines in Australia for the last few days – first for allegedly breaching the bio-bubble protocols and then, reportedly, their unwillingness to travel to Brisbane for the fourth and final Test due to strict quarantine rules by Queensland Government.
Recently, five Indian players – Rohit Sharma, Prithvi Shaw, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, and Navdeep Saini have been allegedly breached the bio-bubble, seen eating together at a restaurant in Melbourne while a few Australian newspapers have claimed that Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya has also breached the protocols during the limited-overs series in Sydney.
Amid all the reports, it is being said that Indian players are not in favor of more restrictions being imposed on them, especially after the breach claims as the Queensland government has formulated strict rules for those traveling from Sydney following a major outbreak of COVID-19 in the state.
The reports claimed that Team India is keen on playing two back-to-back games in Sydney if Queensland’s stricter quarantine measures are no eased in Brisbane for the fourth Test.
Recently, Queensland Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates said: “If the Indians don’t want to play by the rules, don’t come.”
However, Cricket Australia has clarified that there is no communication from BCCI and Indian players regarding the same for the final Test.
Reacting to the drama, former Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds said BCCI is a powerful board and he doesn’t see India not getting their way’ against the Queensland government.
Symonds said on Fox Cricket: “Have you ever had any dealings with the BCCI? They seem to have a fair bit of power over people. It comes down to probably what the Queensland government’s going to allow them to do ... But I can’t see India not getting their way, to be honest with you.”
Meanwhile, a BCCI official told Indian Express: “The team will travel to Brisbane. We will have to follow rules. We may discuss allowing a little more freedom for the players, but it all depends on what local authorities decide finally.”
Noteworthy, the third New Year’s Test will take place at Sydney Cricket Ground from 7 January while the fourth and final is scheduled to play in Brisbane from January 15.
