India's batting coach Vikram Rathour has on Thursday (January 14) insisted that the hard quarantine in Brisbane hasn’t affected his team, saying they don’t need “housekeeping or room service” for motivation as the tourists are raring to take on Australia in the Gabba Test.
India cricket team members were put in “strictest quarantine” at their Brisbane team hotel – which a member of the Indian contingent described as a “five-star jail”.
The team was not given any room service or housekeeping staff and were forced to make their own beds and even clean their own toilets. The management complained to the BCCI and after their intervention, they got access to the swimming pool, gym, and lifts.
Rathour said on the eve of the final Test starting January 15 in Brisbane: “We are playing Australia in Australia, against one of the better attacks in the world. Motivation is there, you don't need housekeeping or room service to give you motivation.”
He further said: “Yes, these were the concerns which were passed on to the BCCI; the board is in touch with Cricket Australia. As far as players and team management is concerned, we are focused on the game and all the boys are looking forward to this game.”
Meanwhile, the batting coach said Jasprit Bumrah is working closely with the medical team and a call will be taken on Friday morning on whether he can take the field in the final Test against Australia.
He added, “The medical team is working with Bumrah, we have to see tomorrow morning whether he is fit to play the fourth Test or not. If he can play, he will play, if he cannot, then he won't.”
Rathour signed off by saying, “The injuries are still being monitored. Our medical staff is looking into it; I would not be in a position to comment on this right now. We would like to give them as much time as possible. It will be tomorrow morning that you will know which eleven takes the field.”
(With ANI Inputs)
