New Delhi: Before the 5-match Test series against England, the Board of Control for Cricket in India had proposed to the England Cricket Board to hold two warm-up matches, which the ECB has turned down. The Indian team, led by Virat Kohli, wanted to play a practice match against county teams at the Riverside ground in Durham before this series starting on August 5, but after being denied by the ECB, now Virat Army will play two intra-squad matches here. Indian captain Virat Kohli has expressed his displeasure regarding this issue.
Speaking on this issue on Friday, an ECB spokesperson said that in view of the Corona rules, the Indian team will enter the series by playing two four-day intra-squad matches before the Test series. Responding to the request of the BCCI, the ECB spokesperson said that it will be difficult to organize it due to the rapidly deteriorating condition due to Corona virus in the country.
It is noteworthy that players of England’s county teams are being tested regularly for the corona virus but they are not part of any biobubble. At the same time, the Indian team will also regroup in London on 14 July and leave for Durham, where it will have to stay in the Biobubble again.
“The home players in England are not part of any kind of biobubble, so their safety is a big issue. Due to not being a part of the biobubble, the Indian team will play only intra squad matches in Durham.
