Team India Agree To Play The Brisbane Test Following A Last-Minute Demand From The BCCI

The Indian cricket team will be playing the final Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Gabba in Brisbane after the BCCI placed an additional last-minute demand to its counterparts Cricket Australia.

The final Test of the series is scheduled to take place between January 15-19 and the BCCI has demanded that Cricket Australia should make arrangements for the Indian contingent to travel out of Australia immediately after the Test gets over.

The request comes in the wake of the evolving Covid-19 situation in Australia. The BCCI is concerned that the team’s preparations for the upcoming home series against England could get hampered if it is subjected to similar restrictions following their return to the country.

According to a report published in the Times of India, a BCCI official was quoted as explaining the request made by the apex cricketing body in India.

“BCCI has told CA that arrangements for the team’s return to India should be made in a way that the team doesn’t have to stay back unnecessarily after the Test ends. The team’s departure should be immediate. If possible, they should cut out even the possibility of an overnight stay. The first flight back should be arranged,”

The last-minute demand is in addition to the BCCI’s previous request to Cricket Australia where it had made it clear to its counterpart that the Indian players should be allowed to mingle with each other in the team hotel following the reluctance of the visitors to undergo another hard quarantine upon their arrival to Brisbane.

“We never objected to playing in Brisbane or any health protocol. The Test is very much on. At the moment, Cricket Australia is working out the logistics with the local government and getting clarity on the three-day lockdown imposed in Queensland.”

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