Shadman, Mrittunjoy out of quarantine

Just before the coronavirus outbreak had taken its fiercest form, Bangladesh national team opener Shadman Islam and World Cup-winning Under-19 seamer Mrittunjoy Chowdhury had travelled to Australia for surgeries. Shadman was suffering from a wrist injury whereas Mrittunjoy's problem was with his shoulder. 

Their operations were successful but since returning, they had to stay in home quarantine because of the pandemic. They had to spend their last 14 days in their own room, even family members were not around due to safety precautions. 

But finally, the wait is over for both of them. They have completed their time in quarantine and now can at least get out of their own rooms. How they passed their time in quarantine, how they are feeling now and injury updates - both Shadman and Mrittunjoy opened up with The Business Standard (TBS) about that.

Shadman Islam 

How were the 14 days in Quarantine?

I was in my room for those 14 days. I watched movies, read books and played video games. I can not use one of my hands so I tried to do as much as I could with my other hand. I watched movies on my Laptop. My family members stayed away from me. I was in my room, they came and gave me my food. 

How does it feel after the quarantine is over?

I am feeling a bit free after staying locked down for 14 days. I have not yet gone out but am roaming around in the other rooms. My younger brothers had come, I spent some time with them. Considering everything and all, I am feeling free. 

Update on your injury

My wrist feels fine. I was supposed to do dressing there within the first week but could not because of the pandemic. I am hoping to do it within a couple of days. 

Your concerns about the current situation and the future of cricket

As the situation stands now, it might take at least a couple of months for cricket to return. As I have heard, there will not be any games before June. As for me, I can be completely fit by May. In that sense, I have got some time to recover. I was feeling bad because the Premier League was going on but I could not play. I continuously checked on ESPNCricinfo for updates. I was a bit upset that everyone was playing and I was not. I had never passed such a time in my life. But now, my grievance is more for people rather than cricket. 

Helping affected people

We are seeing it happen throughout the world. Not just the sportspersons, but everyone is trying to do their bit. Like how our cricketers have formed a fund to help the affected people. To me, this is a great side of humanity. Those who live hand to mouth are in trouble during these times. If everyone comes forward, then it is good for the country. If this continues in normal times too, it would be better. 

Mrittunjoy Chowdhury 

How were the 14 days in Quarantine?

Those 14 days are over. I was in my room the whole time and I had this problem with my hand. I came directly to Satkhira because there was a sense of security here, it was forbidden for me to go out of my home. 

I had nothing to do. I watched some movies, I read quite a few books. I have the habit of staying like this because of my camping, where I have to live away from home. But I felt a bit annoyed. Because after all, I am a cricketer, I do not find peace if I can not play cricket. It feels very painful when I can not take up the bat or the ball. 

How does it feel after the quarantine is over?

None of my friends knew that I was home. So I called some of them yesterday. Some of them came and we chatted for a while. My days are passing like this as I can not go out of my home. But to be honest, I feel a bit freer as I am not locked in my room and am able to roam around the house. 

Update on your injury

It has been 21 days since the surgery. I will remove the ceiling after nine days. I will be able to move around normally, jog a bit two weeks after that. My rehabilitation will start two weeks later on. But I will be able to start my rehabilitation with the ball three months later.

Your concerns about the current situation and the future of cricket

I am more concerned about my injury rather than playing. I am thinking about when I will return to the playing field. My time is not going that bad because I had planned it to go like this. Rather, it is even more secure now. I could have caused more damage to my shoulder if I was not indoors all the time and that would have been very ominous.

Have you contacted your teammates? How are you working on your fitness?

I talk with all the players. Our board has a page where it monitors all the players, providing the players with instructions to follow at home. We also have our trainer Richard Stonier, who makes us exercise for an hour a day. These are really helping to keep up our fitness. But one thing is common among everyone, all are very bored.