The Indian cricket team has made it to the finals of World Test Championship against New Zealand, which will be played in the UK from June 18. But, due to COVID protocols, Indian cricketers will have to enter the bio-bubble for eight days in India and stay in quarantine for 10 days after reaching the UK.

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Virat Kohli-led Indian team will play against the kiwis at Ageas Bowl in Southampton from June 18 only after staying for 18 days in bio bubble. A BCCI official told ANI that after reaching the UK, players can immediately start training from June 2 after staying in isolation for eight days in India. 

The Indian players are expected to enter the bubble from May 25, the quarantine will not involve any COVID testing but will not allow players to move outside the bubble. Families will be allowed along with the cricketers for the three-month long tour to the UK.

After the WTC finals, there will be a one-month gap before they start a five-match Test series against England that will start on August 4 and conclude on September 14. 

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The BCCI is trying to ensure that all players get vaccinated as soon as possible after Indian government opened the inoculation drive for 18 plus from May 1. However, the second dose of vaccine still remains in doubts, if not done in India, BCCI expects to receive an approval for the second dose from the UK government. 

The cricket board named a 20-member squad on Friday with four players on standby, including Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan and Arzan Nagwaswalla. The main squad consists of six fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma, Md. Shami, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur and Umesh Yadav.