COVID Protocol Breach: 5 Indian Cricketers In Isolation, Investigation Launched

Melbourne: Cricket Australia (CA) said on Saturday that five Indian cricketers have been put in isolation and an investigation launched into a possible breach of the bio-security protocol.

While BCCI brass had initially ruled out any investigation on its part, Cricket Australia’s late statement said a joint probe is on and the five have been isolated from the remaining team after

As per COVID protocol, players are allowed to eat out by following social distancing norms.

The cricketers – vice-captain Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Rishabh Pant, Navdeep Saini and Prithvi Shaw – had apparently gone to eat at an indoor restaurant.

The incident came to light after a fan put out a video of them eating at a restaurant on Twitter. He claimed that he had hugged Pant, but later retracted his statement perhaps realising the players could get into trouble.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia (CA) were today alerted to a video post on social media that purported to show Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini eating at an indoor venue in Melbourne on New Year’s Day,” CA said in a statement.

“The BCCI and CA are investigating the matter and seeking to determine whether the outing constitutes a breach of bio-security protocols. On the advice of the Australian and Indian medical teams, the aforementioned players have been placed in isolation as a precaution.”

CA further stated: “This will include separating the group of players from the broader Indian and Australian squads when travelling and at the training venue.”

India and Australia are locked 1-1 in the four-Test series, with two matches to be played. Sydney will host the third Test from January 7.

The players will be permitted to train in accordance with the protocols that have been put in place.