Picture Credit: Twitter/@imVkohli
Following captain Rohit Sharma’s diagnosis with COVID-19, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has issued a stern warning for all the players regarding hanging out in public. The Indian cricket board has strictly asked the players to stop making public appearances and stay indoors as much as possible. Notably, the Indian captain tested positive for COVID-19 just a few days ago which has also put a doubt on his availability for the rescheduled fifth Test.
A report carried out by a credible media organisation has claimed that the BCCI is not happy with the players hanging out in public and has scolded them for casually roaming around. The board has also asked the players to take precautions.
"The board has scolded some players over their habit of hanging out in public. It also seems some players went in public and clicked pictures with fans, which could be dangerous. We had told them to stay careful but they still often roamed around in the city which is not required, so we asked them again to take precautions,” a BCCI source told news agency ANI.
Notably, pictures of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma hanging out in public had surfaced online. Also, wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant was seen clicking pictures with fans in the crowd during the 4-day warm-up game with Leicestershire. Sharma, after returning with a positive report in the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) conducted on Saturday, has gone into quarantine.
The BCCI also named Mayank Agarwal as cover for Rohit Sharma, in case the batter fails to recover before the fifth rescheduled Test.
“The All-India Senior Selection Committee has added Mayank Agarwal to India’s Test squad for the rescheduled fifth Test as cover for captain Rohit Sharma, who tested positive for COVID-19. Mayank has left for the UK and will link up with the squad in Birmingham,” said BCCI in a statement.
Notably, the fifth Test is scheduled to be played on 1 July at Old Trafford. The rescheduled fifth Test is counted as the fifth match of India's 2021 series in England, which the visitors lead by 2-1.