After allegations of gender bias against the BCCI started doing rounds on Tuesday, women’s T20I team captain Harmanpreet Kaur tweeted that option of taking charter flights for Mumbai were given to India Women’s cricketers as well but some just chose to travel in commercial flights.
India Women T20I captain Harmanpreet Kaur and men’s cricket team captain Virat Kohli (Reuters Images)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Allegations of gender bias surfaced against BCCI after unverified reports started doing rounds on social media
- Reports alleged that charter flights were being arranged only for the players of men’s team
- Women’s T20I team captain Harmanpreet Kaur took to Twitter and quashed all rumours
India men’s and women’s cricket teams are gearing up for their all-important tour of England and in these unprecedented times following strict quarantine rules have become part of the preparations.
According to reports players will have to quarantine in their hotel rooms for 2 weeks in Mumbai before arriving in England and isolating themselves for 10 more days there. Given the circumstances the players from both the men’s and women’s team have started moving to Mumbai.
On Tuesday, BCCI was accused of bias between the men’s and women’s team. Unverified reports suggested that charter flights to ferry players to Mumbai were arranged only for the men’s team players, while India Women cricketers could be asked to take commercial route.
However, the women’s T20I team captain Harmanpreet Kaur herself took to Twitter on Tuesday evening and cleared the debate over charter and commercial flights for men’s and women’s cricket team players and support staff. Harmanpreet asserted that BCCI had organised charter flights for all the players and choices have been made individually according to the convenience of players.
“The BCCI has organised Charter flights to ferry both men and women players to Mumbai before we leave for the UK. Considering the distance and individual convenience players have made their own choice,” Harmanpreet Kaur tweeted.
The BCCI has organised Charter flights to ferry both men and women players to Mumbai before we leave for the UK. Considering the distance and individual convenience players have made their own choice.
— Harmanpreet Kaur (@ImHarmanpreet) May 18, 2021
What is the rule to board a charter flight?
To get on the charter flight one has to isolate himself/herself for three days in advance. Even the driver, who will drive the person to the airport will have to isolate himself. Multiple tests have to be done during the period.
Some players were not in favour of isolating themselves away from their family ahead of the long England tour.
India Today has learnt that men’s team wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha could also opt for a commercial flight to travel to Mumbai. Also, India Women ODI and Test team captain Mithali Raj has opted for a charter flight. Jhulan Goswami and Richa Ghosh are expected to board commercial flights from Kolkata.
Traveling is a challenge in the pandemic but it is reassuring to see elaborate measures by BCCI for our health and safety. A charter to Mumbai and UK and regular RT-PCR Tests at home. #LetsDoThis
— Mithali Raj (@M_Raj03) May 18, 2021
Men’s team will face New Zeeland in the final of World Test Championship (WTC) starting June 18 in Southampton and then play a 5-Test series against England. Women’s team will start their tour with one-off Test in Bristol from June 16. Later, they will face England in 3 ODIs and as many T20Is.
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