4-5 Indian Players Put The Whole Series In Danger- Tim Paine Lashes Out At India's Alleged Breach Of Covid Rules In Australia

Tim Paine, Former Australia’s Test skipper, has lambasted India’s players for eating out and jeopardizing the entire series, calling it “selfish” conduct.

During India’s tour of Australia in 2020-21, a video posted on social media by a fan sparked outrage when five prominent figures of the travelling squad were recorded eating inside a Melbourne restaurant, allegedly in violation of Covid procedures.

Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, and Navdeep Saini were caught eating outside with a supporter who claimed to have paid their expenses and hugged one of them. The fan afterwards changed his mind, claiming that the Indian players kept their distance.

Soon after, the Australian media started publishing that the BCCI was investigating the Indian cricketers for alleged rule violations, which the BCCI later denied, maintaining that no violations had occurred.

‘I just find that pretty selfish to be honest’: Tim Paine

Now, in a documentary series, former Australia Test skipper Tim Paine criticizes Indian players for eating out and jeopardizing the entire series, calling it a “selfish” move.

“I mean, those 4-5 individuals jeopardized the entire Test series.” For what purpose? “I just find that pretty selfish to be honest, for a bowl of Nando’s, chips, or wherever they went,” Tim Paine said on Bando Mein Tha Dum, which is currently streaming on VOOT.

However, Ajinkya Rahane, who was acting as India skipper in the unavailability of Virat Kohli at the time, claimed that the rumour was false and that the players were merely awaiting inside the restaurant for their ‘takeaway order.’

“The guys in the photos were simply waiting for their takeaway order to arrive. They would have to wait inside due to the poor weather. “The news story was completely incorrect,” Rahane stated.

The five players were then placed under isolation as a precautionary measure. Players tested negative for Covid-19 and were deemed fit to play the next Test.

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