Nagpur, Jan 1
As per BCCI guidelines, Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) conducted Covid-19 test of its players as well as support staff, 48 hours prior to their departure for Indore and all of them were tested negative on Thursday.
The Vidarbha team is leaving for Syed Mushtaq Ali Twenty-20 Cricket Tournament on Saturday morning by Indore flight. Talking to Lokmat Times VCA CEO Farooq Dastur said, "We have followed the BCCI guidelines about Covid test. According to their SOPS, a test is mandatory 48 hours before the departure. All the players and support staff have been tested negative", he said. VCA has also created bio-bubble at its residential academy and for last four days players and support staff members are staying there.
It is learnt that the team members will remain quarantine for six days after reaching Indore. They will have net session on January 8 and 9 before the tournament starts on January 10. It is also learnt that the players will go thru at least three Covid-19 tests before the tournament starts. It may be mentioned here that on Tuesday sensation prevailed when coach Trevor Gonsalves was tested positive. Then VCA swung into action immediately and appointed former Vidarbha captain and junior national selector Pritam Gandhe in his place as coach. Talking to Lokmat Times before departure Gandhe said, "This team is good and has the ability to do well in white ball cricket also. The players are young and energetic. Its just a matter of two wins and we will thru. I am very optimistic about this team", he said. Vidarbha is placed in Group ''D'' along wit Services, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Goa. On January,10 Vidarbha will launch their campaign against Rajasthan.