INDIA’S tour of Australia is at risk of being cancelled after FIVE players from the visiting party were spotted at a Melbourne restaurant.
Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant, Shubman Gill, Prithvi Shaw and Navdeep Saini were all seen eating indoors at Secret Kitchen in the city on New Year’s Day.
Both India and Australia are now investigating whether bio-secure protocols have been compromised with two Tests still to play.
Following the Second Test at the MCG, India players WERE allowed to leave their hotel bubble.
However, they were ordered to stay outdoors at all times, particularly if they ate out.
But five of the Test squad were seen dining indoors, with the Third Test in Sydney now in doubt.
The game, being held at the SCG, starts on Wednesday.
But Sharma, Pant, Gill, Shaw and Saini are now all being forced to self-isolate and could miss the huge game with the series tied at 1-1 after two Tests.
The rest of the squad are able to carry on with their training as planned.
But it’s unknown whether the game will go ahead amid fears of a Covid bubble breach.
The five India stars were spotted in the restaurant by an eagle-eyed fan.
India supporter Navaldeep Singh took to Twitter to share his delight at spotting the players.
He even picked up their AUD118 (£67.50) bill.
Singh tweeted: “They are not aware but I have paid their table bill.
“Least I can do for my superstars.”
After learning of Singh’s gesture, the fan initially claimed Pant came over and hugged him – a clear violation of Covid regulations.
However, he later changed his story, saying: “Clarification.
“Pant never hugged me it was all said in excitement we maintained social distance all thru :).
“Apologies for miscommunication.”
Soon after, a Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed both they and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) were investigating.
They said: “The BCCI and CA are investigating the matter and seeking to determine whether the outing constitutes a breach of biosecurity protocols.
“In the interim, on the advice of the Australian and Indian medical teams, the aforementioned players have been placed in isolation as a precaution.
“This will include separating the group of players from the broader Indian and Australian squads when traveling and at the training venue.”
Both teams are due to travel from Melbourne to Sydney on Monday.
Elsewhere, India legend and BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly was rushed to hospital on Saturday after suffering a suspected heart attack.
Reports in India claim the former batsman suffered a ‘mild cardiac arrest’ after complaining of dizziness after a workout at the gym.
The ex-India captain is said to currently be in stable condition but may need to have surgery.
It’s believed Ganguly may have to undergo a procedure called an angioplasty – used to widen narrowed or obstructed arteries or veins – with a decision yet to be made.
