India To Favour From Chaotic Scheduling Of Australia Tour: Ian Chappell

India’s tour Down Under is the most-anticipated series’ for Cricket Australia after the pandemic situation has hit the normal schedule. The board has made special arrangements for the series, including the bio-bubble, as the traditional four-Test series will help them to recover from the losses due to non-commencement of matches.

The hosting board has been hit by a major turmoil in the recent past, and it continues to worsen. The tussle between the cricket board and Channel 7 has taken another turn as reports suggest that a legal arbitration being pursued by the broadcaster owing to a ‘breach of contract’ by the board for ‘delivering a product not equal in quality to what was delivered the previous year’.

The Australian board has set-up the bio-bubble and special guidelines with the government for the quarantine period. Australia legend Ian Chappell believes that the uncertainty over the arrangement and quarantine period can favour the visiting team.

India will be right at home in this chaotic atmosphere: Ian Chappell

“… In fact, uncertainty over the schedule at this late stage of preparations is reminiscent of what visiting teams have to contend with in the lead-up to an Indian tour. In other words, India will be right at home in this chaotic atmosphere,” Chappell wrote in ESPNcricinfo.

The remark made by Chappell is influenced from Harsha Bhogle’s in 2008. “In these weird pandemic times there is a heightened sense of chaos surrounding the upcoming tour. Which brings to mind the words of respected Indian broadcaster Harsha Bhogle: ‘Indians can navigate through chaos and thrive in it, while it unsettles Australians’,” Chappell said.

The Test series will get underway in Adelaide with the Pink Ball match. The Adelaide Oval match will take place between December 17-21, with Adelaide also the backup option for the Boxing Day Test should the Covid-19 situation not allow it to be held at the MCG.

Otherwise Melbourne will be the venue for Boxing Day (December 26-30) followed by Tests in Sydney (January 7-11) and finally Brisbane (January 15-19).