India vs England: Members of Team India test negative for COVID-19, set to begin outdoor training

Ahead of the four-match Test series against England, all the members of Team India have returned three negative results for COVID-19.  As a result, the team will now have its first outdoor session ahead of the series-opener in Chennai, the BCCI announced. The first match of the much-awaited series will start on February 5.

The second match of the series will be held in Chennai too. Ahmedabad will host the next two Tests before both the teams lock horns in the limited-overs series. India and England are scheduled to play five T20Is and three ODIs after the Tests. The upcoming series will be the first international series in India since cricket was suspended around the world in March last year in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak.

“The Indian Cricket Team completed their quarantine period today in Chennai. Three RT-PCR tests for Covid-19 were conducted at regular intervals and all tests have returned negative results. The team will have their first outdoor session today from 5:00 PM and nets sessions will begin from tomorrow,” a BCCI spokesperson said.

Team India returned to action in November last year when they travelled to Australia for a full-fledged series. The tour started with a defeat in the ODI series before India clinched the T20I and the Test series to finish the tour on a high. Meanwhile, all members of the England cricket team too have returned negative results for their respective coronavirus tests.

50 percent spectators to be allowed in India’s second Test

In another development ahead of the Test series, the BCCI and the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) have decided to allow 50 percent spectators during the second Test. Earlier, the authorities had ruled out the possibility of fans being allowed inside the stadium but changed their stance after fresh COVID-19 guidelines were issued. For the third and fourth Tests, the fans have been already given the green light to come to the stadium.

“We discussed the issue of allowing spectators for the second India vs England Test following fresh COVID-19 guidelines by the Central government permitting crowds at sporting venues and also the state government’s SOPs given on Sunday,” the TNCA official was quoted as saying by CricketNext.

“It has been decided by the BCCI and TNCA to allow 50 per cent spectators for the second Test by following all safety protocols,” he added.