ENG v IND 2021: BCCI not happy as Ravi Shastri, Virat Kohli attend book launch without proper permission – Report

The board is set to investigate the matter seeking explanations from Shastri and Kohli.

Ravi Shastri and Virat Kohli during Shastri's book launch event in London | TwitterThe Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is quite unhappy with recent developments in England that resulted in head coach Ravi Shastri among others contracting COVID-19 after the touring party attended a book launch in London last week.

Following the public event, apart from Shastri, bowling coach Bharat Arun and fielding coach R Sridhar have also tested positive for the deadly virus. On the other hand, team physio Nitin Patel has been kept in isolation.

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The aforementioned names will stay away from the Indian dressing room when the visitors will take the field for the fifth Test against England at Old Trafford from Friday (September 10).

Fortunately, skipper Virat Kohli and other India cricketers have returned COVID-19 negative in multiple tests.

According to a TOI report, the Indian team didn’t take approval from the BCCI to take part in the event and the board is set to investigate the matter seeking explanations from Shastri and Kohli.

“Photos from the event have been shared with BCCI officials. The board will probe the matter. This incident has left the board embarrassed. The coach and the captain will be asked to explain the circumstances after the fourth Test at Oval. The team’s administrative manager Girish Dongre’s role is also under the scanner," a top BCCI official told TOI.

Meanwhile, the BCCI is in contact with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to ensure the final Test of the tour will go ahead as planned.

"The BCCI is in touch with ECB and trying to ensure the series is completed without any further incidents. As of now, everyone is hoping that Shastri recovers soon. There is a selection meeting for the T20 World Cup on Wednesday. Maybe the matter will be raised there," the official said.

The latest development comes even as BCCI secretary Jay Shah had reportedly asked the touring party to refrain from attending crowded events.

“This incident is all the more unsettling because BCCI secretary Jay Shah had written to every team member before the series, asking them to be cautious and refrain from attending crowded events. The action of the team hasn’t gone down well with the board," the official said.

(With TOI inputs)

 
 

By Salman Anjum - 07 Sep, 2021

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