Australia vs India: BCCI disappointed by 'don't come' comments from QLD Government Minister; rethinking of playing at The Gabba

The ongoing Test series between Australia and India continues to be in the news. This time the Queensland’s Shadow Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Ross Bates’ comments has left the BCCI disappointed as according to the board, the team has been shown in poor light despite co-operating with Cricket Australia for the whole tour. All this happened when team India refused to be in strict quarantine while in Brisbane for the fourth Test.

Rather, the Indian board is now thinking of trimming the four-match Test series into three by not playing in Brisbane. Pointing out the comments of Ross Bates as hurtful, the BCCI official, speaking to media, stated that if team India didn’t want to follow rules, Rohit Sharma wouldn’t served the 14-day quarantine period.

The official also went on to add that the tone of the Minister seemed rife and cleared that the board is thinking whether to play at The Gabba or not. “The statement made by the public representative portrays Indians in poor light and let me assure you, we do not want to do anything other than to abide by the rules, and Rohit Sharma’s strict quarantine is a case in point.

“To try and propagate a view that we don’t wish to follow the rules is unacceptable and the tone and tenor, in which it was said seemed rife with hostility and bordered on racism. It is, therefore, not a surprise that a rethink is on the cards. If a representative of the public does not want us there, it is hurtful and the last thing we want is to upset the Australian fans who have given us so much love and support over the years.

“We do not wish to make it difficult for them or for Cricket Australia,” the official said according to the Times of India.

What did Ross Bates say?

When reports stated that Team India isn’t ready to go into strict quarantine again, Ross Bates had said that the Ajinkya Rahane-led side shouldn’t come if they aren’t willing to follow the rules. “If the Indians don’t want to play by the rules, don’t come,” she had said and then also posted her statement on her Twitter handle.

Her sentiments were also echoed by Queensland’s Shadow Sports Minister Tim Mander. “If the Indian cricket team wants to spit the dummy and disregard quarantine guidelines in Brisbane for the fourth Test, then they shouldn’t come,” he had said as reported by Fox Sports.