IND vs ENG: Kohli, Rohit say ‘NO’ to ECB's demands to forfeit 5th Test

IND vs ENG 5^th Test: Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma say ‘NO’ to ECB’s call to forfeit match – As Covid-19 clouts, the 5^th Test at Old Trafford and the fate of the match hangs in balance, the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) wants BCCI to forfeit the match, sharing the series 2-2. But skipper Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma gave a big ‘NO’ to ECB’s pressure tactics to help Joe Root & Co win the series. As the entire India squad is in isolation after assistant physiotherapist Yogesh Parmar tested positive for Covid-19 on Thursday, the BCCI wanted the 5^th Test match to be cancelled or postponed.

As the Indian board officials began discussions with its ECB counterparts, it became clear that England won’t concede the series as they are trailing 1-2. The final Test match in Manchester would have decided who would win the series.

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IND vs ENG 5th Test: Angry Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma say ‘NO’ after ECB demands BCCI to forfeit Manchester Test amid Covid scare

IND vs ENG 5^th Test: As per a TOI report, the BCCI officials argued against ECB’s notion but the England officials clearly indicated that they want a walk-over and there will be no postponement of the match.

As BCCI consulted the team management including skipper Virat Kohli and opener Rohit Sharma, they sent a clear message, under no circumstance, would they forfeit the match even if they have to play under COVID scare.

Kohli and Sharma, in particular, are in no mood to relent. The two senior India cricketers have conveyed it to one and all that should Covid disturb things, the Test match can be cancelled provided India takes the series 2-1 or they, apropos of Covid, are ready to play the Test as and when decided between the two Boards.

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IND vs ENG 5th Test: Angry Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma say ‘NO’ after ECB demands BCCI to forfeit Manchester Test amid Covid scare

“If it can be argued that the Nottingham Test match could’ve gone either way, it can be argued that Manchester could go either way. Now, the point is, what if the threat of Covid goes either way? In that case, the Test match doesn’t happen, the IPL is risked and there’s a cascading after-effect to everything that ensues,” sources told TOI favouring cancellation of the match.

After relaying the clear message from Virat Kohli & Rohit Sharma, BCCI is now waiting for ECB’s response. ECB is set to take a call on whether to back down from their demand as India are scheduled to visit England again in July 2022 for a white-ball series and they will lose millions if BCCI backs out from playing the series.

As per information available with InsideSport, BCCI is waiting for RT-PCR test reports of players that is due on Thursday midnight. They will take a call on the match after consulting the team management, medical staff and UK health officials besides ECB.

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