Kohli, Pandya breached COVID protocols in December: Report
What's the story
While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket Australia (CA) continue to investigate the alleged breach of COVID-19 protocols by five Indian players, the Australian media has reported two more cricketers also violated the protocols. Notably, a report in the Sydney Morning Herald claims that Virat Kohli and Hardik Pandya visited a baby store in Sydney, in December. Here's more.
Report
Kohli, Pandya visited the baby store in December
Reportedly, the Indian captain Kohli visited a baby store in December, along with his compatriot Pandya, prior to leaving for India on paternity leave. The report stated that the duo breached the bio-security protocols by not wearing masks inside the store. Notably, a store named 'Baby Village' in Sydney had also shared pictures of the two players, who visited the shop.
Claims
Report claimed that players were seen without a mask
The report also claimed "A week or so later in Adelaide, a group of Indian players made a late-night stop-off to eatery Waffle and Coffee in trendy inner-city Leigh Street, a couple of them going inside to order before they all sat down at a table outside." It added, "Players who went inside should have been wearing a mask, according to the protocols."
Isolation
Five Indian players put into isolation by CA
On Saturday, five Indian players, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw, and Navdeep Saini were put into isolation after a video of them eating at a restaurant in Melbourne surfaced. Both the BCCI and CA launched an investigation for a potential breach of the bio-security protocols thereafter. However, these players were not barred from training and traveling.
Twitter Post
The tweet that sparked the controversy
Bc mere saamne waale table par gill pant sharma saini fuckkkkkk pic.twitter.com/yQUvdu3shF
— Navaldeep Singh (@NavalGeekSingh) January 1, 2021
Development
Indian players test negative for COVID-19
Recently, all the players and support staff of the squad tested negative for COVID-19 ahead of the SCG Test. The BCCI informed about the development on Monday. Now, the entire Indian touring party will be traveling to Sydney for the third Test in the chartered flight, on Monday. Notably, the five players will also accompany the squad on the flight.