BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla breaks silence after Australia A players suffer food poisoning in Kanpur

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BCCI Vice President Rajiv Shukla broke his silence after four Australia A players reportedly fell ill following the second ODI against India A in Kanpur last week. The players, including pacer Henry Thornton, complained of severe discomfort after consuming food from their hotel. Thornton’s condition worsened to the point that he had to be admitted to Regency Hospital, where doctors later stabilized him. The incident prompted widespread concern over the hospitality standards and food hygiene provided to players during the series.

Clarifying the situation, Shukla rejected the claims that the illness was linked to food poisoning or unhygienic conditions at the hotel. “If there had been an issue with the food, all players, including the Indian team, would have fallen sick. The food comes from Hotel Landmark, one of Kanpur’s reputed establishments. Everyone was served the same meal,” Shukla stated while addressing reporters.

He added that the affected players might have picked up an infection from another source, dismissing speculation of contaminated food being the cause. Shukla assured that both the BCCI and local authorities were closely monitoring the matter to prevent further issues.

He also highlighted the limitations faced while hosting international fixtures in Kanpur, pointing out the city’s infrastructure and logistical constraints. “We need around 300 rooms in a five-star hotel, but such availability is limited. Additionally, Kanpur lacks a 24-hour international airport, which complicates arrangements. Despite that, we made sure the players received top-quality service,” he said. His clarification came amid growing scrutiny from media reports and fan discussions questioning how such an incident could occur during a high-profile series.

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When asked why such problems are rarely seen during the Indian Premier League (IPL), Shukla noted that the dynamics are entirely different. “In the IPL, the franchises handle all logistics, including accommodation and food arrangements. It is up to them to choose hotels and amenities. The BCCI does not intervene or manage those operations,” he explained, attempting to draw a distinction between bilateral and franchise-level tournaments.

Meanwhile, the on-field action continued as Shreyas Iyer-led India A defeated Australia A in the third and final ODI at the Green Park Stadium to clinch the series 2-1. Prabhsimran Singh stood out with an impressive 102 off 68 balls, while Riyan Parag contributed a fluent 62. Iyer’s composed 62 further strengthened the chase as India A successfully overhauled Australia’s 318-run target with 24 balls remaining. Vipraj Nigam and Arshdeep Singh remained unbeaten to guide the hosts home comfortably.

The incident has sparked discussions within cricketing circles regarding the need for improved facilities in Tier 2 cities like Kanpur, which continue to host international and A-level fixtures. However, Shukla’s reassurance and handling of the situation aim to reinforce confidence in India’s capacity to host such matches safely and professionally. With India A’s series win, the performance on the field overshadowed the off-field health scare, restoring focus to the cricketing success achieved by the home side.

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