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BCCI plans training in 'safe location' for Kohli & Co

Last updated on: June 01, 2020 16:23 IST

'The flights have just started. We will see the progress with regards to the flight situation and take them to a safe location where we are 100 percent sure of their safety then then we can organise that.'

Team India

IMAGE: BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said the Board will lock in on the location for the national camp only when safety of the players is ensured. Photograph: PTI

BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal on Monday said that their Cricket Operations and National Cricket Academy (NCA) teams are working on organising a training camp for the top Indian cricketers but didn't commit to any time frame amid the prevailing circumstances.

 

Though COVID-19 cases continue to rise significantly in India and are inching towards the 2 lakh mark, the central government has been taking gradual steps to open up the economy.

"The (resumption of) national camp is under review with the cricket operations team and NCA staff working out the possibility to have it as soon as possible. Different states are taking different measures (with regards to relaxation on lockdown), so we will take a call accordingly," Dhumal said.

"Everybody (players) comes form one or the other state. They can co-ordinate with their respective state association and train till the time it is safe for the entire team to get together," the treasurer once again stressed on the point he had stated before start of fourth phase of lockdown.

While England cricketers have already started training in batches, top Australian cricketers including David Warner and Steve Smith attended a practise session of New South Wales on Monday.

It has been a week since domestic flight operations have resumed in India and Dhumal said the BCCI will lock in on the location for the national camp only when safety of the players is ensured.

"The flights have just started. We will see the progress with regards to the flight situation and take them to a safe location where we are 100 percent sure of their safety then then we can organise that. We are looking into that."

Asked how soon the players can get together, Dhumal said: "It is difficult to put a time frame to it".

India captain Virat Kohli, his limited overs deputy Rohit Sharma along with other regulars like Ajinkya Rahane and Shreyas Iyer are based in Mumbai where close to 40,000 cases have already been reported, while 67755 cases have been reported in the state of Maharashtra till date.

Maharashtra is among the states which have extended lockdown till June 30 albeit with a few relaxations.

"They can be moved out to a safe location and from there they can join the camp as and when it happens. As I said, we are looking at all the options," said Dhumal when asked about the two star players.

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