New Delhi: The Indian cricket team suffered a major setback ahead of the much-anticipated fifth and final Test match against England. India's senior off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin missed his flight to England after testing positive for Coronavirus. Within hours of reaching England, pictures of Team India captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli roaming in England and taking selfies with fans went viral on social media.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli took selfies last week with fans in Leicestershire and London, where the Indian team is preparing for a warm-up match against Leicestershire County Cricket Club. There were also reports that Rohit and Virat had shopped without wearing masks.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has now decided to take immediate action keeping in mind players' safety amid increasing cases of Covid-19 in England and hence the apex board will likely warn players from meeting fans and stepping out without masks.
"The Covid threat is reduced in the UK. But still players should be more careful. We will ask the team to be a little careful," said Arun Dhumal BCCI treasurer to InsideSport.
The Covid-19 positivity rate is still very high in United Kingdom with over 10,000 new cases being reported every day in the country. All 17-members of team India have reached England. Only Ashwin is left after testing Covid positive. However, the team management is hopeful that he will recover in time and will be available for the fifth Test to be held from July 1-5.