In Kanpur, the Australian “A” team faced a sudden health scare during a one‑day cricket series against India A. Four Australians, including their captain, fell ill with stomach infections that sparked worry among teams and fans alike.
BCCI vice‑president Rajiv Shukla addressed reporters after the incident and said the food served to all players came from a top‑rated hotel in the city. “If the food was the problem, every player would have gotten sick – even the Indian side,” Shukla explained. He suggested that the infection might have come from somewhere else and added that medical staff are handling the situation.
Henry Thornton was admitted to Regency Hospital when his condition worsened, but the other three players were treated and released after routine checks. Team insiders hinted that the illness could be linked to the meals at the hotel, though hospital officials and the team management have not confirmed the cause.
Shukla also highlighted logistical challenges that can affect player health. “There are only a handful of hotels in Kanpur, and we need about 300 rooms for a five‑star setting. The lack of a 24‑hour international airport makes it harder to arrange better accommodations,” he said. He noted that during the Indian Premier League (IPL), franchise owners choose player hotels, so BCCI has no input on those arrangements.
On the pitch, India A won the first unofficial ODI comfortably. Canberra, Australia A bounced back in the second match, sealing a 1‑1 series draw with a nine‑run victory.
The incident has raised questions about travel and lodging standards for touring teams in India, especially during unofficial matches and senior internationals.
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