Australia cricket team players made to tow bags, BCCI claims it’s not their job

Australia’s cricketers were pictured loading heavy kit bags on a tempo after their arrival in India on Monday. It is not however the BCCI’s job to provide porters, but that of the touring team support staff.

The Australia cricket team arrived in Mumbai on Monday ahead of their four-match Test series starting from February 23.

Australia captain Steve Smith arrives at the international airport in Mumbai on Monday. (PTI)

However, their welcome was quite unusual as a picture published in Mumbai-based tabloid Mid-Day showed skipper Steven Smith and his deputy David Warner loading their heavy cricket kit bags in a tempo upon their arrival.

Former India spin legend Bishan Singh Bedi was quick to react to the incident and he slammed the BCCI.

“It only reflects BCCI’s appalling non-cooperation..deplorable! Whither Indn warmth/hospitality fr ‘Atithi Bhavna’...?!” Bedi tweeted responding to the picture sent to him via Twitter.

However, it is learnt that the BCCI has no role in providing loaders to visiting teams. It is also the case when the Indian team travels outside the country where loading the luggage is the responsibility of the support staff members and not of the hosting cricket board.