India receive 'hoax' security threat during Windies tour: Details here
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Sunday said that it had received security threats to the national team during the ongoing Windies tour. The BCCI had reportedly received an e-mail regarding the same, while they had immediately informed the Indian High Commission in Antigua. However, the commission has confirmed that the threat was nothing but a hoax. Here's more.
While the Indian High Commission did confirm it as a hoax, the BCCI is not taking this lightly. As per information, BCCI is taking all possible measures to ensure complete safety of their traveling team, along with fool-proof security. "We have informed the security agencies and it has been found out that it was a hoax email," a BCCI official quoted to PTI.
In an interesting lead-up to the issue, the e-mail was first received by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday. PCB immediately forwarded the mail to the International Cricket Council (ICC) before BCCI received the same within the next 24 hours. While ICC is yet to respond on the matter, when Times of India contacted PCB, it denied speaking on the security issue.
"We have briefed the home ministry and shared the email. The embassy in Antigua has also been contacted and briefed. The Mumbai police has also been informed and the security of the Indian team has been beefed up," said BCCI CEO Rahul Johri.
Meanwhile, India are currently playing a three-day warm-up tie against Windies A in Antigua ahead of their opening Test against the Windies in the opening game of the World Test Championship. While India currently have a 200-run lead in the tie, the match looks set for a draw or an Indian win. The first Test gets underway in Antigua from Thursday.
Meanwhile, skipper Virat Kohli expressed his excitement for the WTC and said that it was happening at the right time for Test cricket. He asserted on the fact that this has made bilateral Test cricket of much more importance. "You have to plan for every series. I was excited about something of this sort and now it's coming to life," he told IANS.
