South Africa’s head coach, Mark Boucher, gave a subtle hint at not shaking hands with the Indian players in the upcoming ODI series against India, due to the scare of Coronavirus.
The global pandemic has hit the Indian shores already, with 43 cases reported for infection. The virus has fatally claimed more than 3300 lives across different countries.
Many sporting events have been disrupted due to the scare of transmission of the virus. Premier League matches are being forced to play in front of empty stadiums. At the same time, Series A games have been suspended indefinitely as public gatherings are strictly prohibited for the virus spread.
Question marks are looming on the smooth conduct of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, BCCI President Sourav Ganguly affirmed that the tournament would be conducted as per schedule, albeit with strict precautionary measures.
It means that the upcoming IPL season will be devoid of the customary handshakes before and after the matches.
“It’s on (as per schedule), and the BCCI will take all precautionary measures (against the Corona Virus),” Sourav Ganguly told India Today.
BCCI is also likely to impose restrictions on players for clicking photographs with the crowd and using devices other than theirs.
“With regards to handshakes and type of stuff that’s a concern, so it will probably be fine if we do the same if it comes to that. I think it’s a way to stop anything from happening to our guys,” Boucher told media, before departing for the upcoming ODI series against India.
“If medical and security staff think it’s too dangerous, they will pull us out and they are no different,” added the former Protea wicket-keeper batsman.
India plays South Africa for a three-match ODI series starting March 12 at Dharamshala. The second and third ODI will be played at Lucknow and Kolkata respectively.
“We had a nice brief last night from medical staff about the virus going around is that it’s a major concern. We are not medical people and we don’t know medicine like they do. So we have taken their recommendations and I am sure they have put stuff in places that’s going to help us,” concluded the 43-year-old.
