IND vs SA T20 Series: For the first time in two years, India will host a bilateral series without any bio-bubble. But with a sudden increase in the number daily Covid cases in India, the BCCI has mandated daily Covid-19 tests for Indian and South African players for the five-match T20 series. The first T20 will be played in Delhi on June 9. Follow India vs South Africa Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
While the Sri Lanka series and the entire IPL 2022 were held in strict bio-bubbles, the BCCI has done away with restrictive bio-bubbles for the India vs South Africa series. Players have also been asked to avoid crowded places.
“Obviously, since we are still in a pandemic, we have to follow some protocols. There will be no bio-bubbles but daily Covid tests are mandatory besides wearing masks outside the team environment. It will help us ensure a safe series,” a senior BCCI official told InsideSport.
IND vs SA T20 Series: No BIO-BUBBLE but mandatory daily Covid tests for Indian and South African players
Earlier, BCCI Secretary Jay Shah said that IPL 2022 was the last time for players in a bio-bubble.
“If I’m not wrong, the bio-bubble for IPL 2022 was the last. For the India-South Africa series onwards, players will be tested (for covid), but will not be any bio-bubble,” Shah told TOI last week.
IND vs SA T20 Series: Highlights:
- There will be no bio-bubble for the first time in a bilateral series in India.
- But players have been asked to avoid crowded places and wear masks at all times outside the team environment.
- There will also be mandatory Covid tests for all players and support staff.
- South African team under Temba Bavuma’s leadership has begun practice at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium ahead of the 1st T20.
- Team India under KL Rahul’s leadership will arrive in Delhi on Sunday and will begin practice from Monday.
- The Indian players will also have to appear for a fitness test before the series.
IND vs SA T20 Series: No BIO-BUBBLE but mandatory daily Covid tests for Indian and South African players
For KL Rahul, the 1st T20I in Delhi will be his biggest test. India are just a win away from creating a World Record of most consecutive T20 wins. With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli rested, Rahul will need to prove that he is India’s future captain.
IND vs SA T20 Series: India eye World Record
- India are currently on a winning streak of 12 Matches
- Team India share the Record for Most Consecutive T20 Wins with Afghanistan & Romania
- By winning 1st T20 vs South Africa on June 9 in Delhi, India can create a NEW WORLD RECORD.
- Virat Kohli began the winning streak when India won against Afghanistan in the T20 World Cup.
- Under Rohit Sharma’s captaincy, India won further 9 matches to make it 12-0.
- KL Rahul will now aim to shatter the World Record.
IND vs SA T20 Series: No BIO-BUBBLE but mandatory daily Covid tests for Indian and South African players
While it will be a “great opportunity” for KL Rahul, he will also be under scrutiny. He did not impress anyone with his leadership skills during the ODI series against South Africa. He was reluctant in changing field settings and did not utilise the bowlers properly.
“See, in South Africa tour, it was a new job for him. It’s not the same as leading an IPL franchise. Leading comes with immense pressure. He made some mistakes but it was also about learning. The T20 series is where he will be benchmarked. I am sure he will do an excellent job,” the selection committee member said.
India’s T20I squad: KL Rahul (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ishan Kishan, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (vice-captain)(wk), Dinesh Karthik (wk), Hardik Pandya, Venkatesh Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Ravi Bishnoi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Harshal Patel, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Umran Malik
IND vs SA T20 Series: No BIO-BUBBLE but mandatory daily Covid tests for Indian and South African players
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