Strict quarantine for Team India in Sydney

After undergoing the RT-PCR Tests in Melbourne, India left for Sydney on Monday ahead of the Pink Test at the SCG starting 7 January. As per BCCI's statement, All the players and support staff tested negative before flying out to Sydney. With New South Wales recording a big spike in COVID-19 cases, the Indian team management has decided to abide by the bio-bubble norms during their stay in Sydney. All the players have been requested not to venture out of their hotel except for training sessions. The squad is most likely to undergo another set of RT-PCR tests before the third Test which begins on January 7.

"The Indian squad has been handed the protocols. The team management has agreed to it and all players and the team have been asked not to go out of the hotel except for scheduled training. The team is also asked to follow all social-distancing practices," a BCCI source was quoted as saying to TOI.

There has been a lot of speculation regarding the hesitancy of Indian team to play the final Test at the Gabba in Brisbane due to stringent quarantine protocols. Speaking to Times of India, a BCCI official rubbished the false claims and said that the BCCI never opposed the protocols set by Cricket Australia. 

"There is always a controversy when India travels to Australia. These are mind games by the media and cricket fraternity in Australia. BCCI never had objected to any protocol set by CA. The Brisbane Test is very much on," the BCCI official said.

[Times of India input]