I’m Not Sure They Are Left With Any Other Option - Shane Warne Explains Why Manchester Test Couldn't Have Been Delayed

Former Australia spinner Shane Warne said everyone has the right to ” feel a little bit robbed” after the fifth and last Test match between India and England was cancelled on Friday to covid-19 scare in the Indian contingent.

There were suggestions flying around of delaying the Test or postponing it for a couple of days – which didn’t happen as both the boards jointly decided to call off the game, and some Indian players have already flowed for the UAE, where the remainder of the IPL 2021 will be played out.

A section of fans and former cricketers also accuses the Indian players of choosing to play the IPL over the Test match. Shane Warne, highlighted the same point, saying that had the Manchester Test delayed by a couple of days, the Indian players would have missed the initial IPL games as they would have to do a 6-day quarantine upon landing in the UAE.

“I just feel a bit robbed. I feel this series has been absolutely outstanding. I take my hat off to India with the cricket they played. I think both sides have played in the right spirits. So I think we all feel a little bit robbed that this Test match didn’t go ahead. If they were in the middle of a Test match or delayed it by a couple of days, that means the flow on effect with the IPL and everything else is going to be thrown into chaos so I’m not sure they are left with any other option,” Shane Warne said on Sky Cricket.

India would have liked to go out on a high: Shane Warne

The state of the series, which currently stands 2-1, isn’t decided as both the boards and the ICC continue their talks regarding the fate of the fifth Test.

Shane Warne lauded the Indian team for their spirit performance for the most part of the four Tests. He hailed Virat Kohli’s side and reckoned they would have wanted to leave the England shores with the series in their pocket confirmed.

“I feel for the players. Both sides were up for it and I can tell that by the way the series has been played. This Test series meant a lot to both sides. India left the series 2-1. Being the No. 1 Test side was their goal. They wanted to beat England in England… in swinging and seaming conditions with the Dukes ball. So, they sort of felt like they ticked every box. They would have liked to go out on a high,” the legendary spinner added.

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