Team India Won't Travel To Brisbane For Fourth Test: BCCI Tells Cricket Australia: Report

Team India reportedly continue to stand firm on their decision to not travel to Brisbane, Queensland, in order to avoid another strict quarantine. According to latest reports in Australian media, the BCCI has officially written to Cricket Australia ‘to advise them they do not want to travel to Brisbane’, putting the Brisbane Test in further doubt.

The reports of Team India’s unwillingness to travel to Queensland are doing the rounds for quite some time now. Queensland has closed its border with New South Wales, of which Sydney is the capital, but agreed to let the players travel to Brisbane for the fourth Test on January 15, as long as they agree to abide by strict biosecurity protocols. However, the Indian team and the BCCI had declined to publicly affirm their support for the Brisbane quarantine plan.

In the wake of the controversy, Queensland’s Health Shadow Minister Ros Bates’ had reacted strongly, saying: “If the Indians don’t want to play by the rules, don’t come.”

On the other hand, Queensland’s Shadow Sports Minister Tim Mander had said: “If the Indian cricket team wants to spit the dummy and disregard quarantine guidelines in Brisbane for the fourth Test, then they shouldn’t come. The same rules must apply for everyone. Simple.”

And in the recent turn of events, foxsports.com.au has reported that India have demanded the Brisbane Test be moved. The report stated that the tourists are willing to play the fourth Test in Sydney itself or any other city. The report had earlier attributed the information to sports broadcaster Jimmy Smith, before claiming it as ‘unconfirmed reports’. The report adds that Cricket Australia is chasing clarification from the BCCI.

BREAKING NEWS | @ThatJimmySmith has been told that the @BCCI has officially written to @CricketAus to formally advise the Indian team does not want to travel to Brisbane to play at the Gabba

— SEN Breakfast with Vossy & Brandy (@VossyBrandySEN) January 6, 2021

On Wednesday, India’s stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane had also declined to comment on the prospect of boycotting the fourth Test in Brisbane. Rahane had said that the players are focusing on the game, and the decision on Brisbane Test will be taken by the officials.

“We as players are just focussing on this Test match and management, they will make the decision. For us, it’s all about giving our best on the field,” Rahane had said.

Brisbane Test- india stand hasn’t changed. Exactly what we had said. Team says if they spend 11 hours together at the ground they are already exposed to each other so why confined to rooms in hotel. They want to go to each other’s rooms and conduct meetings in a designated space.

— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) January 6, 2021

Meanwhile, the Indian contingent is facing severe criticism from the Australians for their unwillingness to abide by the rules. The likes of Nathan Lyon, Andrew Symonds, and Matthew Wade have all taken shots atthe Indian team for their hesitation to play at The Gabba over concerns of a strict quarantine.

Also Read: Australian Female Umpire Claire Polosak Bravely Scolds David Warner Before Making History During SCG Test

Also Read: Watch: Mohammed Siraj Gets Emotional As He Tears Up While Singing National Anthem