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The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has left Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) disappointed with its decision on the proposed white-ball games. The India National Cricket Team is scheduled to travel to Sri Lanka in August for the two-match Test series.
However, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) wanted the Board of Control for Cricket in India to add three T20I matches to the tour, but India's packed calendar has ended all hopes of an extended tour. Virat Kohli to make debut in Tennis? Novak Djokovic reveals future plans.
SLC's fundraising plan fails to get approval
To Sri Lankan fans’ disappointment, the BCCI has now reportedly decided not to add the three T20I matches to India’s upcoming tour, as requested by Sri Lanka Cricket.
As reported by Sportstar, India and Sri Lanka will now play only the originally planned two-match Test series in August. The proposed T20I matches were expected to help SLC raise funds for relief and reconstruction work after Cyclone Ditwah.
Earlier this year, Sri Lanka Cricket had requested the BCCI to include three T20Is after the Test series. The SLC believed India's popularity in the country would attract large crowds and generate strong revenue for the relief effort.
Packed schedule and workload behind BCCI's decision
There was a gap of nearly two weeks before India's next international assignment after the England tour, but the Indian cricket board felt that fitting in three more international matches would not be practical. The Indian team already has a packed calendar, and then player workload forced the BCCI to turn down the proposal.
The matter was discussed between officials from both the BCCI and SLC in recent meetings. During those talks, the BCCI has already informed Sri Lanka Cricket that it would not be able to add those three T20Is to the tour this time. However, the board is ready to consider similar charity matches in the future if there is enough space in the international calendar.
With this decision, SLC will miss out on the financial boost that the extra T20Is could have provided. Well, India's tour will remain unchanged; the tour will continue as originally planned with only two red-ball matches. The first test between the two teams will get underway on August 15. India's last visit to Sri Lanka came in 2024 for a white-ball series.
Shreyas Iyer's T20I era begins with shock
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team began their new T20I era on a disappointing note after suffering a shocking defeat against Ireland in Belfast. The Men in Blue failed to make a winning start under new captain Shreyas Iyer as Ireland pulled off a memorable 34-run victory in the opening match of the two-match T20I series.
The defeat was a historic one for Ireland, as they registered their first-ever win over the reigning T20 world champions in any format. The victory also gave the hosts a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and left the Indian camp with plenty of questions to answer. The second and final T20I is scheduled for Sunday, June 28, in Belfast.
