Coronavirus Threat Looms Large Over India's Tour Of Australia

After the major cricketing events all across the globe have come to a close, Team India, which was scheduled to visit Australia later this year, seems to be under threat as well. The coronavirus pandemic has put the entire world to a standstill. It seems as if the entire world has gone into a state of emergency and the cricketing spectrum is no different.

The Australian government’s decision to seal its border for the next six months owing to the Covid19 pandemic could adversely affect India’s Futures Tours Programme (FTP), including the much-awaited face-offs Down Under later this year.

The India cricket team is scheduled to tour Australia from October 2020 to January 2021 to play four Tests, three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 International (T20I) matches. The Test series will form part of the inaugural 2019–21 ICC World Test Championship and the ODI series will form part of the inaugural 2020–22 ICC Cricket World Cup Super League.

India Tour Of Australia 2020-21 Likely To Be Suspended

The Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI, in all likelihood, might have to explore alternate plans amid the pandemic that has so far claimed over 30000 lives across the world. A six-month travel ban means no teams will be allowed to enter Australia for the assignments lined up in the coming times, which includes the World T20 and the tour by the Indian team.

“Right now it’s too early to say anything. It’s a potential six-month travel ban. If the situation is under control, it could be lifted early also,” a senior BCCI office-bearer told PTI.

“If international travel ban in reality exists for six months, then it becomes a logistical nightmare. At least, for the T20 tri-series before the World T20.

“The processing of visa, tickets everything becomes a logistical challenge. Also not only Australia, England are supposed to tour India in September for their white ball leg. Will things be normal in the UK and players allowed to travel. These are big questions,” another BCCI source said.

Major Cricketing Events Come To A Hold After Coronavirus

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