'Virat Kohli e-mailed the BCCI at midnight before the Old Trafford Test': David Gower

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

'Virat Kohli e-mailed the BCCI at midnight': David Gower claims Indian players 'hightailed' out of England for IPL


David Gower has made a bit of a revelation as to what happened between India captain Virat Kohli and the BCCI on the eve of the start of the Manchester Test match.

The wildfire that was created due to the cancellation of the fifth Test between India and England at Manchester on Friday refuses to extinguish. With so many reports emerging – some claiming the call was taken due to the reluctance shown by some of the Indian cricketers because of Covid fears, while others linked it to the resumption of the IPL which is just around the corner – the real reason behind the abandonment of the series-deciding final Test remains unclear.

While many former Indian and English cricketers – from Nasser Hussain to Sunil Gavaskar to Michael Atherton to Virender Sehwag – have had their say on the matter, David Gower has made a bit of a revelation as to what had happened between India captain Virat Kohli and the BCCI on the eve of the start of the Manchester Test match. Gower stated that he did not see the cancellation coming and hopes there is further clarity on the entire incident.

"Wow! No one, least of all I, saw that coming. It leads us into unprecedented territories. I mean I know other matches have been abandoned… sometimes a few balls bowled and various other circumstances but to have the thing called off at the last moment – Virat Kohli e-mailed the BCCI at midnight the day before – the whole sequence of events needs explaining a little bit better," Gower told Cricket.com

"I was up there on the first morning on my way to watch Day 1 to enjoy some cricket, talk to people about the game to talk about the hospitality. But by the time I got there, of course, the situation had rather changed."

With several Indian players, including Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Virat Kohli and Mohammed Siraj having already arrived in the UAE through charter flights to prepare for the IPL, the blame game is being laid on India and that its players prioritised the IPL, thus leading to the Manchester Test being called off. While Gower is not certain that it's true, the former England captain says it will be 'disappointing' if it turns out that way.

"The worrying thing for me is this: If the IPL was so very closely linked to this, then that to me is very disappointing because… I mean sound old, crusty, but for all those people like me and dare I say, Virat… the last time he was in England, he made a big point about how important Test match cricket is to him… So, for all of us who like Test cricket and value it as the best part of the game, to see a Test abandoned like this was tragic," Gower added.

"Over the next days and week, more things would emerge. One or two things we haven't heard so far might come out to the public ears. But it does seem by the way that the Indian players have high-tailed out of town so quickly, already in the UAE preparing for the IPL. Maybe you can argue that it is sensible given the circumstances. It gives them the best chance to be part of it. But maybe that suggests that the IPL and cancellation were linked. There were some private things said between the Indian team and Indian board."

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cric...d-out-of-england-for-ipl-101631515325349.html

 

[Rajdeep]

The reality of it all is all cricket boards prioritize T20 leagues more than test cricket bcoz its the T20 leagues that brings the money.

ECB revamped their entire county schedule to fit in hundreds. They even gave 10 days break between 2nd and 3rd test, allowed players like Moeen etc. to participate in hundred finals in between test series. Most english test cricket fans were unhappy with ECB as they were giving more focus to T20 league (hundred) than red ball cricket.

Similarly BCCIs main focus is and always will be IPL. Every fan was upset with the cancellation of final test but it is as it is. IPL takes preecedence over everything for BCCI as there is a huge money involved. Had they continued with the test match, players could have tested positive and that could have jeapordized the IPL.

Even then its boards like ECB & BCCI that is saving test cricket. India has already played 12 tests this year, Eng has played 9. How many matches did teams like Pak, SL, SA etc played? Heck WICB even cancelled 1 test match against Pak this year to accomodate T20s. Why? Bcoz that is where the money is.

So likes of Gower & Vaughan needs to calm down. Saying BCCI left the last test for IPL is not any ground breaking revelation. Like all other board, BCCIs focus is also to earn money and IPL is its biggest cash cow.

 

[DeadlyVenom]

The reality of it all is all cricket boards prioritize T20 leagues more than test cricket bcoz its the T20 leagues that brings the money.

ECB revamped their entire county schedule to fit in hundreds. They even gave 10 days break between 2nd and 3rd test, allowed players like Moeen etc. to participate in hundred finals in between test series. Most english test cricket fans were unhappy with ECB as they were giving more focus to T20 league (hundred) than red ball cricket.

Similarly BCCIs main focus is and always will be IPL. Every fan was upset with the cancellation of final test but it is as it is. IPL takes preecedence over everything for BCCI as there is a huge money involved. Had they continued with the test match, players could have tested positive and that could have jeapordized the IPL.

Even then its boards like ECB & BCCI that is saving test cricket. India has already played 12 tests this year, Eng has played 9. How many matches did teams like Pak, SL, SA etc played? Heck WICB even cancelled 1 test match against Pak this year to accomodate T20s. Why? Bcoz that is where the money is.

So likes of Gower & Vaughan needs to calm down. Saying BCCI left the last test for IPL is not any ground breaking revelation. Like all other board, BCCIs focus is also to earn money and IPL is its biggest cash cow.

No other boards or teams have ran away in the middle of a test series to prepare for a T20 league, so your comparison is a flawed one.

 

[HitWicket]

ECB revamped their entire county schedule to fit in hundreds. They even gave 10 days break between 2nd and 3rd test, allowed players like Moeen etc. to participate in hundred finals in between test series.

As I have pointed out to you before, a rest week during a 5 match test series is standard and has existed long before the hundred. Added to that there is no etc. Moeen was the only player who played the test either side and was released.

 

[Babar_the_Destroyer]

No other boards or teams have ran away in the middle of a test series to prepare for a T20 league, so your comparison is a flawed one.

Oh come on it isnt exactly middle of series ,more like last and besides team india wanted to delay the test by 2-3 days,what do you expect team to do if ecb denies it.

 

[Rajdeep]

No other boards or teams have ran away in the middle of a test series to prepare for a T20 league, so your comparison is a flawed one.

That situation never arise for any other team.

As I have pointed out to you before, a rest week during a 5 match test series is standard and has existed long before the hundred. Added to that there is no etc. Moeen was the only player who played the test either side and was released.

ECB did a lot of domestic cricket sacrifice for 'The hundred'. Normally before the first test, players play few county matches to gear up for the season. But this year all of those were cancelled due. Players like Bairstow, Woakes, Moeen, Butler jumped into test cricket straight from the hundred. It kinda sums up their poor performance and why India were the better prepared team.

The crux of the matter is all board is after money. IPL is the biggest product BCCI has and it is their top most priority.

As a fan I was deeply dissapointed and still is with BCCIs actions. But for boards its purely business.

Its actually the leagues like IPL that is keeping the test cricket alive. Most test series are loss for boards. So they try to maximise the revenue through these leagues and organize test cricket for fans even after suffering minor loses. Smaller boards who cant afford, play as many less tests as possible.

#TruthBomb

 

[Pakhs]

Oh come on it isnt exactly middle of series ,more like last and besides team india wanted to delay the test by 2-3 days,what do you expect team to do if ecb denies it.

Expect them to play as per schedule. Its international cricket and not backyard cricket organised by friends.

 

[OMB]

That situation never arise for any other team.



ECB did a lot of domestic cricket sacrifice for 'The hundred'. Normally before the first test, players play few county matches to gear up for the season. But this year all of those were cancelled due. Players like Bairstow, Woakes, Moeen, Butler jumped into test cricket straight from the hundred. It kinda sums up their poor performance and why India were the better prepared team.

The crux of the matter is all board is after money. IPL is the biggest product BCCI has and it is their top most priority.

As a fan I was deeply dissapointed and still is with BCCIs actions. But for boards its purely business.

Its actually the leagues like IPL that is keeping the test cricket alive. Most test series are loss for boards. So they try to maximise the revenue through these leagues and organize test cricket for fans even after suffering minor loses. Smaller boards who cant afford, play as many less tests as possible.

#TruthBomb

India have offered to compensate the losses so ECB should take it as a best case business decision.
If ECB remains headstrong and tries to fight the Covid-19 claim, it may very well lose as it is obvious that substantial Covid-19 risk exists (since cases have happened in the Indian team)

There is no trick here. Everyone knows this happened due to IPL. Even if IPL werent there, BCCI can still prove that asking an International team to play 5 days of a match without their support staff seems ludicrous.
As you have replied to OP, every board has done this

 

[Rana]

India have offered to compensate the losses so ECB should take it as a best case business decision.
If ECB remains headstrong and tries to fight the Covid-19 claim, it may very well lose as it is obvious that substantial Covid-19 risk exists (since cases have happened in the Indian team)

There is no trick here. Everyone knows this happened due to IPL. Even if IPL werent there, BCCI can still prove that asking an International team to play 5 days of a match without their support staff seems ludicrous.
As you have replied to OP, every board has done this

Where have India offered to recompense the losses? By agreeing to play a one off Test next year? How does that sit well with the people who have lost thousands of £££ for this test? (Fans, local businesses, corporate sponsors etc.)

 

[HitWicket]

ECB did a lot of domestic cricket sacrifice for 'The hundred'. Normally before the first test, players play few county matches to gear up for the season. But this year all of those were cancelled due. Players like Bairstow, Woakes, Moeen, Butler jumped into test cricket straight from the hundred. It kinda sums up their poor performance and why India were the better prepared team.

Again factually incorrect. No county games were cancelled to accomodate the hundred, there's been the exact same amount of games there was in 2019 (the last non-covid affected season). Added to that in the 2 weeks before the 2019 Ashes (played at the same time as the India series this year) first test, before the hundred existed, Bairstow, Woakes and Buttler (Moeen wasn't involved) also played a total of 0 FC county games, just like this year.

 

[Cryin Out Loud]

Wait a minute - “David Gower claims”.

Just like a claim made a few days ago that “Virat had asked to postpone the Test” by a day or so “but naughty ECB refused”.

 

[Mobashir]

As I said in the other thread.
Virat's personal batting and continued humiliation in England has a part to play in the cancelation of the test.

Had he wanted, the test would have gone on.

 

[Devadwal]

As I said in the other thread.
Virat's personal batting and continued humiliation in England has a part to play in the cancelation of the test.

Had he wanted, the test would have gone on.

Here come other experts with zero backing .lol who lead the series to 2-1? Maybe pakistan

 

[Devadwal]

Some people's had hard time in past fews month's as india won consecutive series in Australia and now won a series in England .they can't digest india success seem like.

 

[fitCricFan]

As I said in the other thread.
Virat's personal batting and continued humiliation in England has a part to play in the cancelation of the test.

Had he wanted, the test would have gone on.

So the Indians, on a winning momentum, leading the series 2-1, decided to not play because Kohli was not getting his hundreds ,

Did you pull this out of your hat? lol

 

[Technics 1210]

So the Indians, on a winning momentum, leading the series 2-1, decided to not play because Kohli was not getting his hundreds ��,

Did you pull this out of your hat? lol

Indians decided to bail the series with a lead, bricking the draw. Have some perspective.

At thread : sending an email/notice at midnight on the day was blatantly the plan, trying to get ECB or any board to rearrange at the 11th hour is impossible, especially given the insurance dates had to be changed, and media channels in the UK would need to reschedule their programs too.

All in all this stunt by BCCI was fully planned from top to bottom.

 

[Saurav]

So the Indians, on a winning momentum, leading the series 2-1, decided to not play because Kohli was not getting his hundreds ��,

Did you pull this out of your hat? lol

Exactly. Winning/drawing the one-off Test next year would be way tougher than this would have been.

And England top players would return too

 

[IMMY69]

Some people's had hard time in past fews month's as india won consecutive series in Australia and now won a series in England .they can't digest india success seem like.

Don't be bitter.

No one here holds any grudges. Most appreciate good cricket which is what makes this forum exceptional.
If you're looking to vent your insecurities I would suggest you scream in to a pillow or something..

 

[Rajdeep]

As I said in the other thread.
Virat's personal batting and continued humiliation in England has a part to play in the cancelation of the test.

Had he wanted, the test would have gone on.

I was in the Oval and this test series and the buzz around it in UK was incredible. It was the best test series on this shore since 2005 Ashes. With 2-1 up India, which should have been 3-1 without rain, doubt its a humiliation for skipper Kohli. No one remembers individual performance as long as team wins.

But then again, one expect such posts from you now since you went hiding after 4th test like you always do after Indian win

 

[Devadwal]

Don't be bitter.

No one here holds any grudges. Most appreciate good cricket which is what makes this forum exceptional.
If you're looking to vent your insecurities I would suggest you scream in to a pillow or something..

Read post 12 in this thread you will got your answer .its just one example

 

[Saurav]

how does Gower know about Kohli's mail to BCCI? Has it been leaked?

 

[IMMY69]

Read post 12 in this thread you will got your answer .its just one example

If you let a few posters wind you up then how can you continue to have an open minded discussion?

 

[IMMY69]

how does Gower know about Kohli's mail to BCCI? Has it been leaked?

It does seem strange to me.
Does he have a relationship with any of the players?
May be Shastri? They're from a similar generation of players.
Or maybe from an England player of staff or ECB official?

 

[fitCricFan]

Indians decided to bail the series with a lead, bricking the draw. Have some perspective.

At thread : sending an email/notice at midnight on the day was blatantly the plan, trying to get ECB or any board to rearrange at the 11th hour is impossible, especially given the insurance dates had to be changed, and media channels in the UK would need to reschedule their programs too.

All in all this stunt by BCCI was fully planned from top to bottom.

First of all everything being said is conjecture and no one knows what actually transpired. Secondly, there is nothing wrong if it happened on the eve of the test. Bad timing, yes, but as a captain, VK, took a decision since he is the closest to the game.

I do have full perspective and do not hold BCCI responsible for everything that's wrong with Pak cricket.

Consider this for a moment now.....
PCB was unable to muster DRS for the upcoming Kiwi series and then failed to apprise the NZ management about the same. Thankfully, the Kiwis agreed to still proceed despite the blunder which has caused a missed opportunity for both teams to play for test points.
Before the nonsense about "Test points being meaningless" or "I don't care" for Test point" etc. starts, pause and ponder the incompetence of PCB before you continue BCCI bashing.

 

[jusarrived]

This is all speculation at this point, but if we did cancel the test match only cos of IPL, its very disappointing . I dont know how any one can defend them if this was actually true.

 

[Devadwal]

BCCI President Ganguly said "We want rescheduled Test to be the fifth Test match of the series not one-off Test match".

 

[Savak]

Would have been more sympathetic to the ECB but they are getting a taste of their own medicine and karma here for how they abandoned South Africa

 

[Devadwal]

Sourav Ganguly said The BCCI maintains that Test cricket is the ultimate format and we won't compromise it for anything. India want the series to be completed as this will be our first series win in England since 2007.

 

[Technics 1210]

First of all everything being said is conjecture and no one knows what actually transpired. Secondly, there is nothing wrong if it happened on the eve of the test. Bad timing, yes, but as a captain, VK, took a decision since he is the closest to the game.

I do have full perspective and do not hold BCCI responsible for everything that's wrong with Pak cricket.

Consider this for a moment now.....
PCB was unable to muster DRS for the upcoming Kiwi series and then failed to apprise the NZ management about the same. Thankfully, the Kiwis agreed to still proceed despite the blunder which has caused a missed opportunity for both teams to play for test points.
Before the nonsense about "Test points being meaningless" or "I don't care" for Test point" etc. starts, pause and ponder the incompetence of PCB before you continue BCCI bashing.

PCB has nothing to do with this thread.

While some aspects are conjecture, the evidence is pretty clear, IPL > Tests. There’s nothing wrong in admitting Indian players were ‘worried’ about their health, in particular Kohli was ‘vividly’ scared at Old Trafford, but rest assured he and his team mates are safe and sound in`Dubai’. No threat of Covid in UAE - tongue firmly in cheek.

As I said, have some perspective.

 

[Robert]

It does seem strange to me.
Does he have a relationship with any of the players?
May be Shastri? They're from a similar generation of players.

Could be. They played against each other a lot for their countries and Shastri spent five seasons at Glamorgan.

 

[OMB]

lots of conjecture but the fact is that any visiting team would done the same if their players were in similar situaion.
Imagine going to play without your backup team, no support whatsoever. and then to find out you cannot enter UAE because you have got Covid-19 and have to quarantine..
I know the apprehensions I was returning from India to UAE exactly 3 weeks back. was worried like hell of missing my flight due to positive PCR result

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

The reality of it all is all cricket boards prioritize T20 leagues more than test cricket bcoz its the T20 leagues that brings the money.

ECB revamped their entire county schedule to fit in hundreds. They even gave 10 days break between 2nd and 3rd test, allowed players like Moeen etc. to participate in hundred finals in between test series. Most english test cricket fans were unhappy with ECB as they were giving more focus to T20 league (hundred) than red ball cricket.

Similarly BCCIs main focus is and always will be IPL. Every fan was upset with the cancellation of final test but it is as it is. IPL takes preecedence over everything for BCCI as there is a huge money involved. Had they continued with the test match, players could have tested positive and that could have jeapordized the IPL.

Even then its boards like ECB & BCCI that is saving test cricket. India has already played 12 tests this year, Eng has played 9. How many matches did teams like Pak, SL, SA etc played? Heck WICB even cancelled 1 test match against Pak this year to accomodate T20s. Why? Bcoz that is where the money is.

So likes of Gower & Vaughan needs to calm down. Saying BCCI left the last test for IPL is not any ground breaking revelation. Like all other board, BCCIs focus is also to earn money and IPL is its biggest cash cow.

so, as per you they've abandoned/refused to play the last test just so that they can get to UAE earlier, twiddle their thumbs in quarantine, post a few u-tube vdo's to ratchet up their supporters in anticipation of the IPL? and what about guys like pujara, ishant, rahane who are not exactly big ticket draws in the IPL...would they have gone along with this 'plan'...
i hope the conspiracy theorists read Saurav's statement today about the masseur's also testing positive and how worried the players were of contracting the virus, as their results oculd have been positive halfway thru the test....isnt that spooky enough?
And lastly, did;t eng cut short a tour of SA?
Or as the common narrative goes, are we to be blamed for all thats evil in the world of cricket?
Give us a break....yes this whole kerfluffle could have been handled better, but to suggest that in the intrests of ipl we skipped playing, is a pathetic long bow to draw.

 

[Rajdeep]

so, as per you they've abandoned/refused to play the last test just so that they can get to UAE earlier, twiddle their thumbs in quarantine, post a few u-tube vdo's to ratchet up their supporters in anticipation of the IPL? and what about guys like pujara, ishant, rahane who are not exactly big ticket draws in the IPL...would they have gone along with this 'plan'...
i hope the conspiracy theorists read Saurav's statement today about the masseur's also testing positive and how worried the players were of contracting the virus, as their results oculd have been positive halfway thru the test....isnt that spooky enough?
And lastly, did;t eng cut short a tour of SA?
Or as the common narrative goes, are we to be blamed for all thats evil in the world of cricket?
Give us a break....yes this whole kerfluffle could have been handled better, but to suggest that in the intrests of ipl we skipped playing, is a pathetic long bow to draw.

I am merely stating the truth mate (as I always do).

BCCI pulled its players back bcoz of IPL. All the players were tested negative but there were aprehension what if a player catch the virus in between the test match since they were in close contact with support staff. They could not have travelled to the UAE and IPL would have been jeapordized again. BCCI will never let that happen as we are talking about a loss of > 2000 Crore INR. So they pulled the plug, ask the players to pack their bags and fly to Dubai.

As a fan and lover of test cricket it is upsetting. Everyone realizes that too including the BCCI and hence Saurav's statement of rescheduling the final test. Our captain Virat Kohli is the biggest ambassador of test cricket and last thing he would want is to to run away from it. What happened is unfortunate but as I said 2000 crore trumps over everything and BCCI had no choice but to pull its players back.

Ofcourse it dosent look good on Indian cricket and I am sure some action will be taken against Shastri for that book launch event. As per reports BCCI was furious with it.

Think about it this way, if there was no IPL now...Indian players would skip the test match.

In Srilanka, even with half of the squad down with covid, they still finished the entire tour.

In Australia with 80% of the squad injured, they still completed the tour with fringe IPL players and even went onto won the series.

But here IPL was at stake. Not bcoz players were already tested positive or there arent enough players to play but due to the aprehension of what if.

What if someone catches the virus. That puts entire IPL at risk and that is non negotiable for BCCI.

#TruthBomb

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

"The worrying thing for me is this: If the IPL was so very closely linked to this, then that to me is very disappointing because… I mean sound old, crusty, but for all those people like me and dare I say, Virat… the last time he was in England, he made a big point about how important Test match cricket is to him… So, for all of us who like Test cricket and value it as the best part of the game, to see a Test abandoned like this was tragic," Gower added.

Gower is missing the point - or at least pretending to. It's precisely because Indians value the test series win over England that they got out of there as fast as possible, taking their series win with them. Why risk it by playing the final test if you have a ready made excuse to cry off?

 

[Saurav]

I am merely stating the truth mate (as I always do).

BCCI pulled its players back bcoz of IPL. All the players were tested negative but there were aprehension what if a player catch the virus in between the test match since they were in close contact with support staff. They could not have travelled to the UAE and IPL would have been jeapordized again. BCCI will never let that happen as we are talking about a loss of > 2000 Crore INR. So they pulled the plug, ask the players to pack their bags and fly to Dubai.

As a fan and lover of test cricket it is upsetting. Everyone realizes that too including the BCCI and hence Saurav's statement of rescheduling the final test. Our captain Virat Kohli is the biggest ambassador of test cricket and last thing he would want is to to run away from it. What happened is unfortunate but as I said 2000 crore trumps over everything and BCCI had no choice but to pull its players back.

Ofcourse it dosent look good on Indian cricket and I am sure some action will be taken against Shastri for that book launch event. As per reports BCCI was furious with it.

Think about it this way, if there was no IPL now...Indian players would skip the test match.

In Srilanka, even with half of the squad down with covid, they still finished the entire tour.

In Australia with 80% of the squad injured, they still completed the tour with fringe IPL players and even went onto won the series.

But here IPL was at stake. Not bcoz players were already tested positive or there arent enough players to play but due to the aprehension of what if.

What if someone catches the virus. That puts entire IPL at risk and that is non negotiable for BCCI.

#TruthBomb

so if there was no IPL and the match got on,it was very likely that atleast one will test positive in middle of match,be super spreader and potentially pass it on to unvaccinated kids travelling.

Who in their right mind would take that risk? and why?

If it was LOI,it'd been played.

 

[Saurav]

Gower is missing the point - or at least pretending to. It's precisely because Indians value the test series win over England that they got out of there as fast as possible, taking their series win with them. Why risk it by playing the final test if you have a ready made excuse to cry off?

the series result is not decided yet and is upto ICC.

I'm sure players would have liked to effect the result themselves. If they can win in Aus,why not here.Already dominated 3 out of 4 Tests with England being saved by rain in Trent Bridge

 

[Rajdeep]

Gower is missing the point - or at least pretending to. It's precisely because Indians value the test series win over England that they got out of there as fast as possible, taking their series win with them. Why risk it by playing the final test if you have a ready made excuse to cry off?

Errr captain...India was clearly a better team this series. They should have been leading 3-1 going into last test with it being dead rubber had the 1st game not got washed out by rain. So India already won the series.

This team played with fringe IPL players and beat Australia in Gabba, a venue where they were unbeaten for 4 decades. Excuse is the last thing you associate with greatest Asian team of all time.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Virat Kohli might have emailed BCCI but that is bcoz he wanted ECB to postpone the match by 2 days.

 

[deep82]

ECB and the ex English cricketers are acting like sore losers.

I am glad BCCI have not backed off even one inch. Loving it.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

Indians decided to bail the series with a lead, bricking the draw. Have some perspective.
.

Looks like you didn't think this through.

Let's say the bcci decided to bail out with a lead, now why is Ganguly forcing ICC to rearrange 5th match next year? And that too against a better English team (having Stokes)

Secondly, do you think it was so easy for us to bail out and demand a series victory, lol, the ipl angle can be considered but this excuse of India bailing out with easy win is hogwash.

I know you won't be able to come up with an explanation for this and will shift goalpost like the OP.

 

[iniqbal223]

No other boards or teams have ran away in the middle of a test series to prepare for a T20 league, so your comparison is a flawed one.

Not in Tests, but what about Pak vs SA ODIs, when SA players ran away after playing 2 matches in (3 match series)

 

[Titan24]

so if there was no IPL and the match got on,it was very likely that atleast one will test positive in middle of match,be super spreader and potentially pass it on to unvaccinated kids travelling.

Who in their right mind would take that risk? and why?

If it was LOI,it'd been played.

If anyone was expected to be positive then that person could have passed it on even now during the travels as well unless they all were isolated for few days before travelling which wasnt the case.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Virat Kohli might have emailed BCCI but that is bcoz he wanted ECB to postpone the match by 2 days.

Search for #TruthBomb in this thread. I think that is the best post in this thread so far and explains the BTS of this incident clearly.

 

[jeeteshssaxena]

If anyone was expected to be positive then that person could have passed it on even now during the travels as well unless they all were isolated for few days before travelling which wasnt the case.

They are quarantining now in UAE, playing a match while being under risk of infection is a completely different thing.

 

[Titan24]

They are quarantining now in UAE, playing a match while being under risk of infection is a completely different thing.

Yes its a different thing but, if anyone has covid and they are travelling together than surely there is a risk present of passing it on at that time as well. So in the end the risk is not eliminated.

 

[IMMY69]

Errr captain...India was clearly a better team this series. They should have been leading 3-1 going into last test with it being dead rubber had the 1st game not got washed out by rain. So India already won the series.

This team played with fringe IPL players and beat Australia in Gabba, a venue where they were unbeaten for 4 decades. Excuse is the last thing you associate with greatest Asian team of all time.

Have to disagree with you.
Teams were very well matched.

Last game could also have gone to either team....
Drawn series was definitely not out of the question

 

[Saurav]

If anyone was expected to be positive then that person could have passed it on even now during the travels as well unless they all were isolated for few days before travelling which wasnt the case.

it takes 3-4 days for incubation by which time they will be isolating in UAE and won't play unless they test negative.

 

[fitCricFan]

PCB has nothing to do with this thread.

While some aspects are conjecture, the evidence is pretty clear, IPL > Tests. There’s nothing wrong in admitting Indian players were ‘worried’ about their health, in particular Kohli was ‘vividly’ scared at Old Trafford, but rest assured he and his team mates are safe and sound in`Dubai’. No threat of Covid in UAE - tongue firmly in cheek.

As I said, have some perspective.

Kohli was 'vivdly' scared...that's a good one. Looks like you do have access to the Indian dressing room and privy to their discussions which we, the commoners, have no knowledge about so yeah, your assessment is factual, Dr. Holmes, great work, kudos.

The current unit of officials (players & support staff) will not be a single unit in the UAE but rather split depending on their team affiliations. So in case one or more from the current team are struck with Covid, they could be isolated and replaced by other non-playing members which would not have been an option here. The Indian team's request was very reasonable in asking for a delayed start by a couple of days until a clearer picture emerged. I would question ECB's motive on refusing to entertain that request.

This is all based on what I am reading and once facts emerge, would be happy to revisit the discussion

Hows that for perspective!!!!

 

[fitCricFan]

Have to disagree with you.
Teams were very well matched.

Last game could also have gone to either team....
Drawn series was definitely not out of the question

Sure, but the best one won, isn't it!!!!

 

[fitCricFan]

it takes 3-4 days for incubation by which time they will be isolating in UAE and won't play unless they test negative.

Yes, and again, lot of folks are missing a key variable. The current Indian team (players/officials) will not be a single unit in UAE and even if all of them come up sick, will be replaced buy others in their respective teams which would not have been an option here