The 5th and the final test match between India and England has been declared as forfeited due to the Covid pandemic. The Indian camp was unable to field a team for the final test match as they were hit by the Covid pandemic.
The statement from the BCCI was as follows
BCCI statement: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have jointly decided to call off the 5th Test Match scheduled at Manchester in ongoing India’s tour of England 2021. The BCCI and ECB held several rounds of discussion to find a way to play the Test Match, however, the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Indian team contingent forced the decision of calling off the Old Trafford Test Match. In lieu of the strong relationship between BCCI and ECB, the BCCI has offered to ECB a rescheduling of the cancelled Test match. Both the Boards will work towards finding a window to reschedule this Test match. The BCCI has always maintained that the safety and well-being of the players is of paramount importance and there will be no comprised on that aspect. The BCCI would like to thank the ECB for their co-operation and understanding in these trying times. We would like to apologize to the fans for not being able to complete an enthralling series.
The second physio was deemed positive. This came after the entire Indian coaching staff along with Ravi Shashtri were down with Covid related symptoms already.
Although the match stands canceled as of now, the Indian cricket board has offered to reschedule the cancelled Test match, saying that both boards will work towards “finding a window to reschedule this Test match”.
Update: The BCCI and ECB held several rounds of discussion to find a way to play the match, however, the outbreak of Covid-19 in the Indian team contingent forced the decision of calling off the Old Trafford Test.
Details: https://t.co/5EiVOPPOBB
— BCCI (@BCCI) September 10, 2021
Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth LV= Insurance Test at Emirates Old Trafford, due to start today, will be cancelled.
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 10, 2021