BCCI Emphasizes On Safety of Players First As Australia Gets Ready To Allow Fans In Stadiums

Not too long ago, the BCCI cancelled India’s tour of Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka in the wake of COVID-19 crisis. But the chances of the T20 World Cup taking place in Australia augmented ten-fold as Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that a limited amount of crowds could be allowed into the stadium. Nevertheless, the BCCI is in two minds.

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The ICC met on the 10th of June to decide the fate of the T20 World Cup slated to take place down under in October. The decision was deferred to next month while the apex body of cricket wants to witness how the situation progresses. Earlier, Cricket Australia Chief Kevin Roberts said that there exists a high-risk if the showpiece event takes place. However, with the COVID-19 situation, stable and restrictions eased, hope beckons.

A BCCI official admits that it is a courageous step from their government and that they would be glad to partake in the event. Nevertheless, there are several factors to consider and they can take a final call only after directives from their government and advises from health officials. The safety of their players stands above everything.

“It is a bold step by the Australian government and I am sure they have taken the step after assessing their circumstances for sports in Australia. We would be only happy to participate in the T20 World Cup in Australia but there are a lot of things that are in play and they all centre around health. The factors that affect the decision finally are factors that are not in the control of the BCCI.

We would have to decide in accordance with the directives of our government and the advice of health professionals. The safety of our players and fans is paramount for us and it is not that the team has to travel in an exclusive and disinfected bus from Mumbai to Pune and play there and come back straight from the ground to their respective homes in a completely controlled environment.” the official told IANS.

Presence of fans can prove as a massive risk: BCCI official

The representative of the BCCI went on to say that allowing spectators inside the stadium can explode the virus again. There can be asymptomatic carriers and the lengthy incubation period of COVID-19 are the two main factors that need to be kept in mind.

“The presence of fans in the stadium is going to be a huge risk in a world event, especially on account of a longish incubation period of COVID-19 and the presence of asymptomatic carriers.” the representative stated further.

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