A health scare has hit the Australia ‘A’ camp during the ongoing one-day series against India ‘A’ in Kanpur, with four players, including the captain, contracting stomach infections. While fast bowler Henry Thornton required hospitalisation, BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla has dismissed the possibility of poor food quality, suggesting the players may have picked up an external infection.
The health incident saw four Australian ‘A’ players, including captain Jack Edwards, diagnosed with stomach infections. Fast bowler Henry Thornton’s condition deteriorated, leading to his admission to Regency Hospital for treatment. The other three players were treated and released after medical assessments. Though team sources unofficially indicated the illness might be linked to food consumed at their hotel, no official confirmation has been made by hospital authorities or team management.
Speaking to reporters in Kanpur, BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla defended the quality of the hospitality arrangements, specifically the food provided by the team’s hotel.
“If there had been an issue with the food, all players, including the Indian players, would have fallen sick. It must have been something else,” Shukla stated. “They are being fed food from one of the finest hotels, Hotel Landmark; the food is good, and everyone is eating the same. Since a few players have fallen ill, they may have contracted an infection, and we are handling it.”
Shukla also touched upon the logistical constraints in Kanpur, citing a lack of multiple five-star accommodations and a 24/7 international airport. “The issue arises because there aren’t many hotels. We need 300 rooms in a five-star hotel, and that’s not available… Had better arrangements been in place, they would have gained an advantage,” he said.
When questioned about the recurring nature of such issues in international or unofficial fixtures compared to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the BCCI Vice President clarified that accommodation decisions in the IPL rest solely with the franchises. “In the case of the IPL, everything depends on the franchises. They decide where the players stay, and it’s entirely their choice, as the BCCI does not have any role in the decision-making,” Shukla added.
The three-match unofficial ODI series is currently level at 1-1, with the final match scheduled to be played soon. Australia ‘A’ bounced back from a loss in the first game to convincingly win the second match by nine wickets.