No bio-secure bubble yet for Vidarbha cricketers

NAGPUR: It’s been almost a month since Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) started its cricketing activities at the Civil Lines Stadium. The players had to go through the RT-PCR test for Covid-19 and only after negative reports they were allowed to practice under the guidance of VCA coaches.
The RT-PCR test was conducted on November 17 and all the players tested negative.However, since then, the VCA hasn’t conducted any test of their players, raising the question of building a bio-secure bubble. Sources in the VCA confirmed that players had not gone through Covid-19 tests after November 17.
A former Vidarbha player, who doesn’t wish to be named, raised the safety concerns with TOI.
“Players don’t stay at the academy, so it’s not a bio-secure bubble. They go back home after practice. While you can restrict the players, you can’t restrict their family members, and it’s not known what their family members are doing. VCA should conduct periodic tests for safety reasons,” the former player said.
VCA is one of the few associations in the country that started its activities only last month. With Covid-19 cases coming in consistently, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) hasn’t given a green signal to VCA to organize full-fledged cricketing activities.
Sources in the VCA, however, rejected doubts over the safety concerns.
“This is not skills camp. Players are doing their individual thing, so there’s no question of proximity. Players are maintaining social distancing and our coaches are watching that. Due to restrictions, we can’t keep players in the academy. However, everyone is aware of their responsibilities and our coaches are keeping an eye on them,” he said.
“The players have already attended a fitness and health-specific seminar regarding dos and don'ts. They have regularly been briefed about the Standard Operating Procedure issued by the National Cricket Academy. They are also following all the required protocols given by the local authorities. Once we get proper permission from NMC, we can create a bio-secure bubble for them,” he added.
The BCCI has informed state associations that the domestic season will begin with the Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty20 Trophy from January 10, and the teams will have to report to their venues on January 2. With the announcement, VCA may start with skill sessions for players as only fitness and fielding sessions are not doing much good for the players or coaches.