As the covid outbreak hit another peak in India, BCCI has started mulling options to host the remaining of the international series. Notable that BCCI postponed the remaining domestic fixtures in the season which included Ranji Trophy, Col C K Nayudu Trophy & Senior Women’s T20 League. India is set to host West Indies and Sri Lanks before the IPL while they will play another 5-match T20I series against South Africa in June.
India will host West Indies for 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is in February
According to the original schedule, West Indies will visit India in February this year and play a series of 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is. The ODI series will begin on February 6 at Ahmedabad, followed by another two ODIs at Jaipur and Kolkata. While the T20I series will begin on February 15 as Cuttack, Visakhapatnam and Thiruvananthapuram are assigned as three venues to host the T20Is. But as the things stand, it will be difficult to manage bio bubbles around 6 venues so BCCI will likely restrict it to one or two venues.
“Things look bleak and we are positioned to hit the peak of this third wave in February. Organizing matches in six venues will add logistical nightmare,” a BCCI official told Cricket.com
This West Indies series will be followed by the 2-Test series against Sri Lanka which will also be a part of the World Test Championship. The first test of the series is scheduled to play at Bengaluru which will also be Virat Kohli’s 100th Test match.
In last season when India hosted England for a full-fledged series, BCCI restricted it to a few venues. Chennai and Ahmedabad hosted multiple tests while all 5 T20Is were hosted again in Ahmedabad. Then at the end, Pune hosted the 3-match ODI series.
Currently, BCCI hasn’t communicated with any state associations regarding any new developments about changes in fixtures. However, the possibility to restrict it to one or two venues can’t be ruled out, as one of the state association officials told cricket.com
India’s tour of South Africa will finish on January 23.
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