Page 44 - The Indian EYE 121021

SpORTS DECEMBER 10, 2021 | The Indian Eye 44

cricket SeaSon 2021

Omicron shadow over SA tour, Kohli’s

return and a break for Ishant & Rahane

The window for the franchises to retain players for the IPL 2022 season closed on Tuesday.
Mumbai Indian retained Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Kieron Pollard, Suryakumar Yadav

OuR BuREAu
Mumbai
veryone in the country is anx-
ious about the new Omicron
Evariant and so are the players
as this virus has spread rapidly in Af-
rica. With the Indian team travelling
to South Africa this month there are
questions being raised whether they
should send the players looking at the
current scenario or call it off.
Former India Test cricket and se-
lector feels that the BCCI is a respon-
sible board and it will find a solution
for this problem and make the best
decision in the interest of players’
health and well-being. “I know BCCI
will clear the air soon and yes, it is
a matter of concern that we have to
play in a country where the third vari-
ant of COVID-19 has been detected
but I have faith in BCCI that it will
find a solution for this. They will take
the right decision when it comes to
the health of the players,” the former Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill during the first day of the 2nd Test match between India and New Zealand,
India cricketer and selector Saran-
deep Singh said. at Wankhede Stadium, in Mumbai on Friday. (ANI Photo)
The Indian board is in discussion
with Cricket South Africa that the se- stress level is bothering you. I don’t dra Jadeja suffered a right forearm even when he had taken some time
ries might get pushed back looking at understand why Rishabh Pant was injury during the 1st Test match in off from the game after spending six-
the current situation in the Rainbow rested as he is just 22 and you have Kanpur. After undergoing scans, he months in bio-bubbles.
Nation. The Sports Minster Anurag to make him realise the burden and was diagnosed with a swelling on his The second Test between India
Thakur also made things clear in this pressure a player go through which forearm. He has been advised to rest and New Zealand will begin on Fri-
regard saying that BCCI should speak you don’t,” said Singh. and is thus ruled out of the 2nd Test in day at the Wankhede Stadium, Mum-
to the Indian government before Mumbai,” BCCI said in a statement. bai with the series being locked at
sending a team to South Africa for a ishant, Jadeja, rahane ruled “Ajinkya Rahane sustained a minor 0-0. The game will see the return of
full-fledged tour. out due to injury left hamstring strain while fielding on India skipper Virat Kohli, however,
The former selector has taken a the final day of the 1st Test match in his comeback has left some selection
dig at the current selection panel as head of the second Test be- Kanpur. Since he has not recovered dilemma for the hosts. “It was just to
they rested quite a few key players tween India and New Zealand completely, he has been ruled out of stay in the rhythm of playing red-ball
and youngster Rishabh Pant for on- Aon Friday, Ishant Sharma, the 2nd Test in Mumbai. His progress cricket. The idea was to get repetition
going India versus New Zealand Test Ajinkya Rahane and Ravindra Jadeja will be closely monitored by the BCCI and volume which is important in
series. have been ruled out due to injuries that Medical team,” BCCI stated further. Test cricket, so it is just about getting
“Not only India but every team they sustained during the first Test. into the mould of switching between
is playing cricket and this bio-bubble “Fast bowler Ishant Sharma dis- kohli practices for all formats formats. This is something I have al-
is mandatory for a long time. Yes, it’s located his left little finger during ways tried to do. Whenever I get the
tough for players but we can’t make the final day of the 1st Test match ndia skipper Virat Kohli on opportunity to work on setting up for
it as an excuse that it’s affecting our in Kanpur. He is thus ruled out of Thursday explained why he different formats, it is more so men-
game. You have enough time to take the 2nd Test in Mumbai. The BCCI Istarted to practice at the Cricket tally than anything related to tech-
rest and your family is also with you in Medical Team will continue to mon- Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai for nique,” said Kohli while replying to
this bubble so you can’t say that this itor his progress. All-rounder Ravin- the Test series against New Zealand Continued at next page... >>

www.TheIndianEYE.com