Coronavirus scare causes cancellation of India’s tour of Sri Lanka

Reports coming have it that India’s limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka slated for June-July has been called off for now due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Both cricketing boards stated that the situation is not feasible for the games to go ahead.

Sri Lankan board (SLC), which hopes to make huge money from the tour through TV right, remains hopeful that the series could be held at a later date.

There had been an agreement between the two boards to play three ODIs and as many T20s from the end of June and continue till July in Sri Lanka, with the dates not yet been finalized due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Speaking on the development, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said it’s impossible to go ahead with the tour in June-July, and this has been communicated to the SLC, adding that it is also committed to playing the series at a later date.

There had been reports that the BCCI had given the SLC the green light that the games will be played in August, which provided players to return to training few days after the relaxation of total lockdown as India managed to curtail the spread of the virus.

The coronavirus cases in India have continued to rise rapidly, with over 8,000 COVID-19 deaths recorded and about three lakh cases.

According to reports, the players will need to get back to training first, and it would take four to six weeks to regain match fitness.

Since both boards are committed to having the series in August, it could still go ahead.

Dhumal further stated that the team is presently not practicing, and the BCCI remains unsure when international travel restrictions will be lifted, meaning the series can’t hold in June-July.

SLC also confirmed the development via a media release on Thursday, saying the BCCI will seek advice from the Indian Government and the health regulatory authorities before taking any decision for the resumption of Cricket.

Written by Oladipupo Mojeed