Emphasis on security ahead of India's tour to New Zealand

While New Zealand is usually the safest place to tour, the BCCI is taking no chances with Team India’s security ahead of the tour that gets underway this month. Both India and India A will visit New Zealand. India will play a full-fledged series in New Zealand comprising of three Tests, five T20Is and three One-Day Internationals. The team will be in New Zealand from January 20 till early March.

And ahead of the tour, the BCCI and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) are in talks over the security as the Indian cricket is taking a cautious approach after last year’s attack in Christchurch. 50 people were killed following attacks on two mosques on March 15, 2019. During that attack, the Bangladesh team was in New Zealand and narrowly escaped the shooting. The last Test of the tour had to be canceled too as Bangladesh returned home.

“NZC security has been boosted for all incoming touring teams. However, as it would be counter-productive to disclose details of the security arrangements, we will not be commenting on this matter publicly. We’ve taken the matter very seriously but can’t talk about the “extra measures”. NZC is in constant contact with the BCCI,” NZC chief executive David White told Mumbai Mirror.

The BCCI has not done the recce this time around, but the BCCI officials have been in constant touch with the NZC authorities.

“They have factored in the increased threat perception and are acting accordingly. We’ve realised that they are serious about the security aspect and we have been in constant touch with New Zealand Cricket,” said Ajit Singh, the Anti-Corruption and Security Unit (ACSU) of the BCCI.

Food is an issue

Security is not the only aspect that the BCCI is currently busy with. The board is also busy making sure that the players do not face any problem whatsoever with food when they visit New Zealand. With many Indian players being vegetarians, diet for the players is as much a concern as Indian food is not in great supply in every part of the country.

Recently India coach Ravi Shastri had met BCCI secretary Jay Shah and reports suggest that there was a discussion over food, logistics and gym facilities for the New Zealand tour. Meanwhile, the much-awaited tour will get underway with the first T20I on January 24.