BCCI treasurer says Mumbai-based Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli may not be able to begin training soon like their other India teammates as this city is a Coronavirus hotspot.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli
Top Indian players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma could be left stranded in pandemic-stricken Mumbai when senior players start training again, an official has warned. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could allow outdoor training as early as next week when a further easing of the government's nationwide Coronavirus lockdown is to start. But Mumbai, where national captain Kohli and his deputy in limited-overs Rohit are based, is at the forefront of India's battle against the pandemic, and tough restrictions are expected to be maintained there.
Restrictions remain
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"For players like Kohli and Rohit, the restrictions are there in Mumbai and might stay," BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal told AFP. Mumbai has recorded almost 1,000 Coronavirus deaths and accounts for more than a third of India's fatalities so far. The number of new cases is still rising. Dhumal said that following government talk of further easing its nearly two-month-old lockdown, "some skill-based training" outdoors could be possible in other parts of India.
Arun Dhumal
While international cricket and the Indian Premier League have been high-profile sporting victims of the Coronavirus, Kohli and other players have been posting pictures of their indoor training and other activities on social media during the lockdown. Dhumal said India's National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bangalore was working on a post-lockdown plan for players which would be adapted to the level of restrictions.
"As of now we are working, given the lockdown restrictions, through apps and online modes. The coaches and support staff are regularly in touch with the players," said Dhumal.
Resumption plan
"Everybody would be keen to hit the ground and the idea is whenever we are ready for cricket to resume, they [the players] are able to give their 100 per cent."
India have a short tour of Sri Lanka scheduled for June but it is widely expected to be called off.
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