IND v ENG 2021: ODI series might be moved out of Pune citing rising COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra

Maharashtra saw over 8,000 COVID-19 cases being recorded every day from Wednesday, February 24.

Virat Kohli plays a shot as Jos Buttler keeps wickets | Getty

BCCI is reportedly comtemplating moving the three-match ODI series between India and England out of Pune due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the state of Maharashtra.

The Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium in Pune is scheduled to host the three ODI games on March 23, 26 and 28. However, if the number of COVID-19 cases keep rising, the three ODIs will find a new venue, which will be decided by the BCCI in due course.

The England cricket team travelled to Chennai from Sri Lanka, to play the first two Tests at the MA Chidambaram stadium. Both teams then travelled to Ahmedabad to play a day/night Test, a traditional Test and five T20Is at the newly constructed Narendra Modi stadium.

The teams were supposed to then move to Pune for the ODI leg of the series but it is now under a massive threat.

The resurgence of COVID-19 cases in India has also affected the Vijay Hazare Trophy tournament and the preparation of IPL 2021.

Vijay Hazare Trophy 2021: A Bihar player tests positive for COVID-19; entire squad to undergo tests

BCCI had also shortlisted four venues in Maharashtra to host the league stages of the IPL. It is now being known that those games might also be shifted out of Maharashtra.

The Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad will most likely host the knockout games of the upcoming edition of the IPL and that might not get affected due to the COVID-19 cases in Maharashtra.

(With inputs from India Today)

 
 

By Sameer Deodhar - 27 Feb, 2021

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