The Indian team’s reported complaints surrounding their accommodation in Brisbane, which has been described as “a prison for all practical purposes” has divided opinion among cricketers and fans on social media.

An article by Fox Cricket did the round on social media two days ahead of the Brisbane Test, citing a report in The Times of India, which lists down India’s complaints from unnamed members of the travelling contingent.

“We are locked up in our rooms, have to make our own beds, clean our own toilets,” the report quotes a member as saying. “Food is coming from a nearby Indian restaurant which will be given to us on our floor. We can’t move out of the floor that’s been designated to us.”

 

The complaints extend to restrictions around ‘basic amenities’ such as swimming pool and gym due to Covid-19 guidelines, which is being seen as a potential issue for recovering members of the Indian team that has been beleaguered with injuries, and has been described as a “hospital ward”.

Fox Cricket mentions that a BCCI official confirmed that the use of lifts and gym has now been given to the players: “The board has been told that the team has been given access to all the lifts in the hotel. They can use a gym too. It has been assured that there will be room service and housekeeping.”

The detailed set of complaints earned plenty of attention on social media, adding to the existing interest around the closely-fought series.

👋🏻 – the Aus and NZ women’s teams did their quarantine in the same hotel last year. Here’s a shock – we survived…. https://t.co/9YUTvZ8RqR

— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) January 13, 2021

Alyssa Healy, the Australia women’s cricketer, quote tweeted the link and replied with: “The Aus and NZ women’s teams did their quarantine in the same hotel last year. Here’s a shock – we survived….”, referring to the New Zealand women’s tour of Australia in September-October 2020.

7 Cricket presenter Trent Copeland replied to the tweet, with “I mean seriously, who makes their own bed ??”.

There’s a few Aus players who haven’t been home since July – haven’t heard them whinge yet.

— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) January 13, 2021

Many felt that the Indian team should make do with the restricted access, given the existing Covid-19 protocols in place.

They will definitely bring up petty issues now. To be in a safer side if they go on to lose the match n the series. And if they win it, they'll go n sing songs of their victory despite being given such rooms. Lol they've become master in these things.

— Dorjee Lama (@DorjeeL64058574) January 13, 2021

The part about Indian team being unhappy about not having gyms, swimming pool, having to order food from outside, no place to have team meetings have been conveniently ignored.

These are all genuine requirements of sports teams, especially one walking with bruised bodies.

— Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (@wildcardgyan) January 13, 2021

Sorry that mummy couldn’t come with you on tour. You’re grown men. Do it yourself like the rest of the population already does.

— Jordan (@jordannoon) January 13, 2021

The world is still dealing with a global pandemic. These men are still employed and paid very, very well to do what they love the most. Perhaps they should count their blessings, instead. So many people I know have lost so much the past year, they are lucky to be working.

— Chantelle (@ChantelleMary07) January 13, 2021

Ohh bless!! Such a struggle for them! Every athlete in the world has had to deal with change during this time if they want to compete at their sport. Built in excuse maybe?? 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️

— Karrie Webb AO (@Karrie_Webb) January 13, 2021

Others, however, defended the Indian team, pointing out that most of that have been inside a bio-bubble since August, a month before the start of IPL 2020.

For a little bit of context: (And I’m not their spokesperson) they’ve been in bio-bubbles for close to six months now. Maybe it’s taking a toll? Yes, looking at it in isolation it may seem as if they’re behaving like spoilt brats. But not really if you look at the larger picture.

— Shashank Kishore (@captainshanky) January 13, 2021

But I believe both are different cases altogether, they have the right to question and ask for more facilities, and most of them has been in bubble from August then Pujara, Vihari from October last week then they have to play from Feb 5th again vs Eng in India. It's none stop.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 13, 2021

The part about Indian team being unhappy about not having gyms, swimming pool, having to order food from outside, no place to have team meetings have been conveniently ignored.

These are all genuine requirements of sports teams, especially one walking with bruised bodies.

— Bubba Gump Shrimp Company (@wildcardgyan) January 13, 2021

The fourth Test of the series, currently levelled at 1-1, begins in Brisbane on January 15.