India players clear first of 3 Covid-19 tests, families allowed during hard quarantine in Chennai – India Today

Chennai News

In the lead up to the 4-Test series against England, India players have cleared the first of their 3 RT-PCR tests for Covid-19. The players have to test negative for the virus two more times before they begin training from February 2 in Chennai.

India are all set to host England in a 4-Test series, starting February 5 in Chennai. The first 2 Tests will be played in the South Indian city before the action for the last 2 Tests, including a day-night match, shifts to Ahmedabad.

India players arrived in Chennai earlier this week and both the hosts and England are staying at Leela Palace in the city, according to the Press Trust of India.

According to the report, players are confined to their hotel rooms in a bio-bubble much similar to the ones that existed during the Indian Premier League. The players will have to make do with some physical exercise in their rooms under the supervision of the two strength and conditioning experts, Nick Webb and Soham Desai.

The England tour marks the return of international cricket to India for the first time since Covid-19 pandemic brought normal lives to a grinding halt. England will play 5 ODIs and 3 T20Is following the Test series, which is part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle.

Meanwhile, in a welcome move, the Board of Control for Cricket in India has allowed players to stay with their families during the hard quarantine in Chennai. The move comes after India players were away from home during the IPL and the exhausting tour of Australia.

Vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane, senior opener Rohit Sharma, wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, all-rounder Hardik Pandya have all been joined by their respective families and all of them have put out posts from their official social media handles.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/india-vs-england-players-rt-pcr-covid19-test-clear-chennai-quarantine-bcci-1763742-2021-01-28