'This is an uncharacteristic tweet' - Harsha Bhogle addresses COVID-19 as 'Chinese virus', Twitter disappointed

Cricket hasn’t been the same ever since the COVID-19 pandemic came into the picture. The deadly virus has already cancelled and postponed many major series and tournaments, and it continues to impact the gentleman’s game. Pakistan’s tour of England is the latest international series to be dented from the disease. Although matches in the series will go as per schedule, several first-choice England players won’t take part as they contracted the COVID-19 virus.

ECB announced that seven members, including people from support staff, have been infected. This is indeed not a great piece of news, and cricket fans expressed their disappointment on Twitter. Notably, players participating in an international series have to stay in a bio-bubble where they obey several strict protocols and rules. Despite these restrictions, however, the virus has managed to breach the bubble and infect the members on several occasions.

Chinese virus has now infiltrated the England cricket team: Harsha Bhogle

Veteran Indian Commentator Harsha Bhogle also expressed his concern regarding the same. “It doesn’t look like it is going anywhere. The Chinese virus has now infiltrated the England cricket team. The bubbles will get more stringent. I guess there is no other option,” tweeted Bhogle. Although his worry about the game was understood, several fans weren’t amused with Bhogle addressing COVID-19 as “Chinese virus”.

It doesn't look like it is going anywhere. The Chinese virus has now infiltrated the England cricket team. The bubbles will get more stringent. I guess there is no other option

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 6, 2021

While some slammed the commentator for associating a pandemic with a nation, several pointed out that the virus that England players have contracted is an “Indian variant”.

Here’s how Twitter reacted to Harsha Bhogle’s controversial tweet

Wow Harsha, didn't expect this from you! Shame @bhogleharsha

— abhinav siddharth (@abhisidd) July 6, 2021

@bhogleharsha Virus doesn't have nationalities. A reason they are given naming conventions by Scientists.
The variant at peak in the UK is an "Indian" variant, but it's called Delta now, and rightly so.
You might want to correct yourself.

— mamamia🌈 (@intoxic81) July 6, 2021

It is an Inidan variant which is now referred as Delta

— Vaquas Alvi (@VaquasAlvi_) July 6, 2021

Why do you call it Chinese virus?

— VG (@vg123e) July 6, 2021

Has your account been hacked? This is an uncharacteristic tweet.

— Saravan Chaturvedi (@SachaturTweets) July 6, 2021

Virus originated in China would have been better than "Chinese Virus". It has a racial overtone to your statement Harsha

— Raj Kumar Jha (@rajjha48) July 6, 2021

Being a spokesman for bcci has really made you fall from the once great standards that you once possessed

— Javaid (@JavaidSpeaks) July 6, 2021

Why call Delta virus then. Call it indian virus then. It seems cricket made you oblivious to protocols.

— Balcony (@kamalya98422007) July 6, 2021

Poor choice of words, Harsha:/

— OAK (@OAK194) July 6, 2021

Chinese…. ????

— Its coming home…🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 (@ashif_hosamani) July 6, 2021

Why call it chinese virus… If so then i hope u call delta variant an Indian variant….

— muhammad abbas khan (@abbasmalik6730) July 6, 2021

Chinese ??? Expected better from you

— AzharMeo (@AzharMeo) July 6, 2021

Meanwhile, ECB has announced a new 18-member squad to play three ODIs against Pakistan, starting from July 8. While veteran all-rounder Ben Stokes has been named captain, there’s no room for Alex Hales. It has to be noted that nine players in the English squad are uncapped and it would be interesting to see how they’ll tackle the Men in Green.

England squad for ODIs against Pakistan: Ben Stokes (c), Jake Ball, Danny Briggs, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Lewis Gregory, Tom Helm, Will Jacks, Daniel Lawrence, Saqib Mahmood, Dawid Malan, Craig Overton, Matt Parkinson, David Payne, Phil Salt, John Simpson, James Vince