‘We were locked away for 10 weeks in hotel rooms, had slow wi-fi’ – Stuart Broad recalls England’s tour of India

Cricket has certainly changed ever since the COVID-19 virus came into the picture. While the pandemic canceled and postponed many tournaments, some series were unfortunately called off midway. The inconclusive Test series between England and India belongs to the latter category. The fifth and final Test in Manchester couldn’t take place due to fears in the Indian camp. Apparently, Indian players decided not to play the final match after the team’s physio returned with a positive test.

Ever since then several members of the cricket fraternity including Michael Vaughan have been slamming the Indian team for prioritizing IPL over international cricket. However, veteran England pacer Stuart Broad has a different perspective over the matter. Sympathizing with the Virat Kohli-led side, Broad said these testing times can cause unrest. He also opened up about his experience of staying in a strict bio-bubble during the India tour earlier this year in February.

We didn’t see other human beings for 10 weeks: Stuart Broad

“I am certainly not going to preach that what they did was wrong because I remember how I felt for the last Test match in Ahmedabad, having been locked away for 10 weeks in hotel rooms. We’d not seen other human beings, been kept away from our families, had slow wi-fi, and couldn’t even stream Netflix,” Broad wrote in his column for Daily Mail.

“By the end of it we were worn down and the thought of then potentially catching the virus during those final few days of the tour — and having to spend another fortnight locked away — made me feel quite unstable,” he added. As mentioned above, Vaughan came hard at the Indian team after the fifth Test got suspended.

He claimed the Test was canceled as BCCI wanted their players to be available for the second leg of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021. Reacting to the former England captain’s remarks, Broad said: “I know Michael Vaughan was quite vociferous, saying India’s decision was all about the IPL riches — and I am not saying it didn’t play its part — but I can understand them panicking so close to their flights out.”

Meanwhile, the series currently stands 2-1 in favour in India. As per plans, the remaining game can take place next year in England.