Team India continue to stand firm on their decision to not travel to Brisbane for the fourth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy due to strict quarantine rules. A recent report suggests that the Border of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has written to Cricket Australia expressing their unwillingness to travel to Queensland putting the final match of the tour in doubt.
Meanwhile, there were reports doing around that the visitors are reluctant to travel to Brisbane. 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.
India unwilling to travel to Brisbane
However, India and BCCI have declined to show support for the Brisbane quarantine protocols. Although Cricket Australia chief tried to play down the situation things went out of hand after 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.”
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Queensland’s Shadow Sports Minister Tim Mander also spoke in the same lines as Ros Bates’ saying that the same rules apply for everyone and if they can’t abide by it they shouldn’t travel to this part of the country.
“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,” Tim had said.
Meanwhile, this didn’t go well with the Indian team and a recent report in 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’. It also adds that Cricket Australia is chasing clarification from the BCCI ahead of the final match of the series which starts from January 19.
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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
— Vossy & Brandy SEN 1170AM Sydney (@VossyBrandySEN) January 6, 2021
However, skipper Ajinkya Rahane turned down to comment on the same while addressing the press ahead of the start of the Sydney Test. The stand-in skipper said that the players are focused on playing and the decision on the same will be taken by the team management and BCCI.
“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.