Former Indian batsman Sanjay Manjrekar has made a strong statement after five Indian players breached the bio-bubble in Melbourne as they decided to go out on lunch. The five players were isolated from the rest of the group and later was sent to Sydney with the rest of the squad. Meanwhile, Manjrekar asked the players to respect the protocols in place for COVID-19 or simply rule themselves out of the series.
Sanjay Manjrekar took to Twitter to convey his stance on the breach of the bio-bubble by the Indian players. “It’s quite simple really. Either rule yourself out for selection or once selected respect the bio bubble & the strict protocols. Can’t have it both ways,” Manjrekar wrote on Twitter.
Respect The Protocols: Sanjay Manjrekar
It’s quite simple really. Either rule yourself out for selection or once selected respect the bio bubble & the strict protocols. Can’t have it both ways.#INDvsAUSTest
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 4, 2021
Also Read: 5 Isolated Indian Players To Travel With The Team To Sydney: Reports
Earlier Queensland Health Minister Ros Bates warned the Indian team to follow the rules if they want to complete the series. Her comments came after the Indian team expressed their reluctance to not travel to Brisbane for the final Test owing to stricter quarantine rules. “If the Indians don’t want to play by the rules, don’t come,” she said.
Today I was asked about reports the Indian Cricket Team wants quarantine restrictions eased just for them, ahead of the upcoming Gabba Test. My response 👇 #Cricket #IndiavsAustralia @ICC @CricketAus pic.twitter.com/MV7W0rIntM
— Ros Bates MP (@Ros_Bates_MP) January 3, 2021
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia Chief Nick Hockley has denied reports of the Indian team’s unwillingness to play the final Test at The Gabba in Brisbane. He stated that the BCCI was ‘fully supportive’ of quarantine requirements in Queensland.
“We speak to our counterparts at the BCCI daily. We’ve had nothing formal from the BCCI to suggest anything other than they’re supportive. Both teams have wanted to play the schedule as we’ve set out,” Hockley told the Australian media.
Both the Indian and the Australian team are expected to travel to Sydney on January 4, Monday. The third Test starts at the SCG from January 07. The series is 1-1 at the moment after India’s win at the MCG in the second Test.
Also Read: 5 Indian Players In Isolation After Potential Bio Bubble Breach In Melbourne
