‘Covid restrictions or the pitch?’ – Michael Vaughan takes a sly dig at Team India for not wanting to play Brisbane Test

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, has questioned Team India for their reluctance to play the fourth and final Test against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane. The match is scheduled to get underway on Friday, January 15 and prior to the match, there’s been a lot of commotion and chaos surrounding the visitors’ unwillingness to travel to Brisbane.

As per sources privy to the development, it’s learned that the Indian team don’t want to go through a hard quarantine upon reaching Brisbane. An official said that having followed the regulations laid by the Australian government and Cricket Australia, the visiting team don’t wish to go through any other hassles at the end of the tour.

“If you look at it, we were quarantining for 14 days in Dubai before landing in Sydney and doing so for another 14 days. That means we were in a hard bubble for nearly a month before coming out. What we don’t want now is to quarantine again at the end of the tour,” a source said.

While most reports have been regarding the COVID-19 protocols, Vaughan reckons that India’s hesitance might also be due to Australia’s impressive record over the years at The Gabba.

The veteran Englishman took to Twitter and wrote, “Covid restrictions or the Pitch in Brisbane they are concerned about?“

Here’s Michael Vaughan’s tweet: –

Covid restrictions or the Pitch in Brisbane they are concerned about ? https://t.co/5sfB1rQhfR

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 6, 2021

Australia’s incredible record at The Gabba

Talking about India’s tour of Australia, the visitors have a dismal history while playing Test cricket in Brisbane. Out of six matches, they have lost five. In the other Test, which was drawn back in 2003, Sourav Ganguly, the then Indian skipper, scored a magnificent century. Apart from that game, Australia have managed to beat India black and blue at the venue.

Australia’s Test numbers at The Gabba is worth envying as well. Out of 62 Tests, they have won 40 of them, losing only eight. 13 of those victories came by an innings. Hence, if India plays the fourth Test in Brisbane, they will have to pull off something spectacular. For the time being, the four-match series is levelled at 1-1 with the third Test at the SCG currently underway.