Members of the Australia ‘A’ cricket squad reportedly fell ill due to suspected food poisoning while touring India, sparking concerns over the quality of hospitality provided during the series.

Following their recent fixture against India ‘A’ in Kanpur, several Australian players suffered from severe gastrointestinal distress. Fast bowler Henry Thornton required hospitalization for two days, with three other squad members also reporting similar symptoms.

The Australia ‘A’ management lodged a formal complaint regarding the substandard food served at the team’s hotel, prompting scrutiny over the accommodation arrangements made for visiting international sides.

However, Rajiv Shukla, Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), dismissed the allegations, stating, “Had the food been the source of illness, players from both teams would have been affected equally.”

The incident coincided with India ‘A’, captained by Shreyas Iyer, clinching the series 2-1. In the deciding one-day match at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium, India ‘A’ secured a narrow two-wicket victory over Australia ‘A’.

This episode raises questions about the standards of player welfare and logistics during international tours and underscores the necessity for rigorous oversight to safeguard visiting teams’ health.