'We are not at all annoyed' - Ajinkya Rahane responds to reports of Team India being unhappy over bio-secure protocols in Sydney

The talks regarding the quarantine have taken the centre stage in the build-up to the third Test between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The saga began when reports emerged that Team India was not keen on traveling to Queensland for the fourth Test because of the strict quarantine protocols in the state.

According to the existing rules, anyone traveling to Queensland from Sydney needs to remain quarantined for 14 days. The report stated that the Indian team-management was not ready to maintain another strict quarantine after undergoing one previously upon arrival in Australia. Later, reports also suggested that the visitors are unhappy with the bio-secure protocols put in place for them in Sydney.

Unsurprisingly, when stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane interacted with the media on the eve of the third Test, he was asked about the same. The India star, however, refuted such reports while making it clear that the situation is not easy for the team. Rahane said that the situation is “challenging” and expressed dissatisfaction over the city life in New South Wales.

“We know that life in Sydney is normal but players are stuck in their rooms – which is okay. We know how to handle it and we are prepared for any kind of situation. It’s about being in the moment and playing some good cricket,” Ajinkya Rahane said.

“We are not at all annoyed but yes there are some challenges in quarantine as life in Sydney is completely normal. We’re not all annoyed and we know what’s our priority here…We’re all prepared and we want to play some good cricket,” he added.

We as players are just focusing on this Test match: Ajinkya Rahane

In the buildup to the first Test, the Australian media has been targeting the Indian camp consistently. The media first targetted the team after five Indian players visited a restaurant in Melbourne. The local media accused them of a bio-breach bubble and asked for an investigation. The news outlets from Down Under also called out the Indian team after reports emerged that they were reluctant to visit Queensland.

Far away from Australia, the views in India are different. The Indian cricket fraternity believes that the recent criticism from the Australian media is just a ploy to unsettle India after their win in the second Test. Well, Ajinkya Rahane has made it clear that the outside noise has not affected the players at all and they are just focusing on the game.

“We as players are just focusing on this Test match and management, they will take the decision. For us, it’s all about giving our best on the field. Test match is starting tomorrow and we want to do well as a team and win the Test match,” Ajinkya Rahane stated.