India’s ongoing Test series against Australia has been marred by a controversy as the reports of visiting team expressing unwillingness to travel to Brisbane for the fourth Test emerged last week.
The reluctance came after it was reported that due to strict health protocol rules in the state of Queensland, the Ajinkya Rahane-led side needs to undergo another round of hard quarantine with players not even allowed to venture out of their rooms.
In fact, the BCCI also wrote to Cricket Australia, seeking relaxation in hard quarantine protocol of Brisbane, reminding its counterpart that the visitors have already served the strict isolation that was agreed upon at the beginning of the tour.
While CA is yet to come with a statement on this matter, a report published in TOI suggests that the BCCI has agreed to play the fourth Test at the Gabba but with a proviso that the Indian team does not stay back in Brisbane for even a day after the Test finishes.
The fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is due to start on January 15.
"The Indian team will play the fourth Test in Brisbane. But BCCI has told CA that arrangements for the team's return to India should be made in a way that the team doesn't have to stay back unnecessarily after the Test ends. The team's departure should be immediate. If possible, they should cut out even the possibility of an overnight stay. The first flight back should be arranged. This is besides the request to allow the players to move freely in the hotel," a senior BCCI official quoted as saying by TOI on Saturday (January 9).
"We never objected to playing in Brisbane or any health protocol. The Test is very much on. At the moment, CA is working out the logistics with the local government and getting a clarity on the three-day lockdown imposed in Queensland," the board official added.
After returning from Australia, Team India will host England for a full-fledged bilateral series, comprised of 4 Tests, 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs.
According to the report, fans will not be allowed in the stadiums for England's full tour of India.
"The teams will be in hard quarantine. BCCI doesn't want to take any chance with the home season so close. So, crowds will not be allowed," the official said.
It is also learnt that the Indian players will be allowed to go home for a few days before getting into the bio-secure bubble for the home series against England, starting February 5 in Chennai.
