The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed India’s limited-overs series of Sri Lanka, featuring three ODIs and three T20Is, will now begin on 18 July, and run until 29 July. The ODIs will now be on 18, 20 and 23 July, and it will be followed by the T20Is on 25, 27, and 29 July.
The original schedule of these six white-ball games was to be played between 13 July and 25 July. The BCCI and Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) announced a revised schedule ‘on the basis of health advisory after the Sri Lankan contingent detected two COVID positive cases’.
On 9 July, Sri Lanka’s data analyst GT Niroshan was the second Covid-19 case in the Sri Lankan camp. Their batting coach Grant Flower had tested positive on 8 July. They both recently came back from the UK last week after England T20Is and ODIs assignment.
‘We understand that circumstances are extraordinary, but the BCCI would like to extend its full support to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) during these tough times for the smooth conduct of the upcoming series,’ said BCCI secretary Jay Shah in a media release.
‘Our medical team is in constant touch with the team of doctors at SLC and together following all safety protocols that will help the series to get underway. We are confident that both nations will put up a spirited show in the days to come and we are in for some exciting cricket.’
SLC is currently working on two backup squads. One group is isolating in Colombo and another in Dambulla, to ensure the India series goes ahead. A player from the backup squad in Colombo also tested positive for the virus on 10 July.