BCCI Requests ECB To Prepone The India vs England Test Series For Creation Of A Window To Resume IPL 2021: Reports

Reportedly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has requested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to prepone the five-match Test series between India and England so that a window can be created ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup to resume IPL 2021. Notably, IPL 2021 was suspended earlier this month in wake of the COVID-19 virus breaching the bio-bubble.

Players and support staff of four different franchises, the Kolkata Knight Riders, the Chennai Super Kings, the Delhi Capitals, and the SunRisers Hyderabad were infected with the virus and the BCCI had to thus call of the tournament indefinitely. The BCCI arranged and ensured the safe transit of all the overseas players from India.

BCCI Requests ECB To Rejig India vs England Test Schedule

After the suspension of the league, the BCCI announced the Indian squad to take on New Zealand in the final of the ICC World Test Championship. Additionally, it was also informed that the same squad will remain in England and compete with the Englishmen in a five-match Tests series which will begin from August 04 and will last till September 14.

Now, it has been reported that BCCI has requested the ECB to prepone the five-match Test series in order to conduct IPL 2021 in the United Kingdom itself. A report published in ESPNcricinfo stated, “ESPNcricinfo understands the request was put in this week and the ECB is yet to respond. As things stand, the first Test is scheduled to begin on August 4.”

“The move is aimed at having a longer window in September to finish the remainder of the IPL season. The tournament came to a standstill midway due to growing number of Covid-19 cases among players and staff during the Ahmedabad and Delhi leg,” the report further stated.

Team India Begins Its Home Quarantine

Notably, the India National Cricket Team has begun its home quarantine on Wednesday before flying to the UK on 2 June. It was also reported that the BCCI is in constant chatter with the English government authorities for soft quarantine rules for the Indian players after reaching the UK.

The India National Cricket Team will take on New Zealand in the ICC World Test Championship final from June 18-June 22 at the Rose Bowl in Southampton. Meanwhile, a second-string Indian team will fly to Sri Lanka to play a 3-match ODI and a three-match T20I series in July.