Indians stuck in bubble as England players get time off

While England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is taking care of their players in the bio-bubble by giving them regular breaks, there is no such plan for the Indian cricket players who have been going about series after series with the same set of players and not resting any.

While England players, who are to play 17 Tests, the Indian Premier League (IPL), and World T20 this year, have rested Jonny Bairstow and Sam Curran for the first two Tests after the duo featured in the two Tests in Sri Lanka and will send back Jos Buttler after the first Test, India's top players have had a busy schedule right from August when they went to the UAE to prepare for the IPL.

None of the India players had seen their families -- or been part of their sorrow or joy -- from August till January 20 when they reached home from the victorious Australia campaign. After a week, the players entered the bubble for the England Tests that begin on Friday. India will play four Tests, five T20Is and three ODIs against England. Then, a week after that, India players will enter the bubble for IPL.

Asked if being in the bio-bubble is affecting them or tiring them mentally, India vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane said that they are not mentally tired since they have their families and spending time in team room.

"We are not mentally tired at all. We are really tough mentally and we are as a unit, we are as a family. We are enjoying each others' company here, so we are spending time in our team room. The families are here which is really important and which is really good. We are not at all tired and we are really mentally tough," said Rahane on Wednesday in a virtual interaction with the media.