India's tour of Sri Lanka will proceed strictly as a two-match Test series.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has turned down the proposal from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to add three T20Is to India’s upcoming tour of the island nation.
Earlier this year, Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) had requested the BCCI to expand the tour by including a short T20I leg, aimed at generating relief funds following the devastating Cyclone Ditwah. SLC was hopeful that India’s participation would attract strong fan turnout and generate significant revenue.
In fact, the proposal was deliberated at multiple levels, considering that there is a window of nearly two weeks between the conclusion of the Test series and India’s next international assignment.
However, according to a report in Sportstar, the BCCI cited a packed international calendar and player workload management as the primary constraints preventing the adjustment.
“Sources confirmed that during recent interactions between officials of the two boards, the BCCI conveyed its inability to proceed with the proposal on this occasion. At the same time, it is understood that the Indian board has kept the door open for similar initiatives in the future should a suitable window emerge in an already crowded calendar,” the report stated.
As things stand, the tour will proceed strictly as a two-match Test series, which is part of the current World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.
The first Test is expected to be played at the Galle International Stadium from August 15 to 19. While the venue for the second Test has not yet been confirmed, it is likely to begin on August 23 at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo.