The Indian team was supposed to host the England team at home for a limited-overs series consisting of three ODIs and the same number of T20I matches in September this year. However, if reports are to be believed, that assignment is going to be postponed by the BCCI owing to the growing number of Coronavirus cases in the country.
India has experienced more than 9,30,000 positive Coronavirus cases with 24,300 fatalities so far till July 14. There are more than 3,19,000 active cases at the moment, while almost 6,00,000 people have recovered from the deadly virus.
"England were supposed to play six games (three ODIs and three T20 Internationals) during late September. Obviously, in the current circumstances England won't be traveling to India," a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
Also in line to be postponed is the New Zealand A team’s tour to India. India's Future Tours and Program (FTP) calendar will be among the main topics of discussion during the BCCI Apex Council meeting on Friday.
"But I guess a formal announcement will happen once the FTP issue is discussed as its part of the agenda during Friday's Apex Council meeting. New Zealand A had a tour of India scheduled in August and even that's also unlikely to go ahead," the official said.
According to reports in the British media, the white ball tour may now happen in September, next year.
Even if the situation gets better in India in September, there are very few chances of England traveling, as the BCCI is hoping to organize camps for Indian cricketers starting August.
"Our (BCCI) president (Sourav Ganguly), in a recent interview, said that they are planning for a camp in August if the situation permits. Its common sense that under these circumstances, no matches can be held," the official added.
The England tour was scheduled in the last week of September and with the ICC T20 World Cup in Australia set to be postponed, the IPL is expected to kick off during that phase either in India or abroad.
(PTI inputs)
