Bearing in mind the safety concerns amid COVID-19 pandemic, the BCCI is likely to send an extended Indian squad to Australia.

Speaking to PTI, a BCCI official hinted that the strength of the squad will be anything between 23 to 25.

“It is only logical that at least 23 to 25 players are carried just like Pakistan and West Indies did in England.

“There is no need to call net bowlers from outside and if the players from India A squad also goes, it would help us in having a proper four-day first-class match simulation in bio-bubble,” the official said.

As per the report, the support staff, led by head coach Ravi Shastri, as well as the players who won’t be part of IPL play-offs, will reach Australia directly by the end of October or the first week of November, with the others joining the bubble after completing their IPL commitments.

The report also claims that the three outgoing selectors – Devang Gandhi, Jatin Paranjape and Sarandeep Singh – are likely to stay at least till the oversized India squad for the year-end tour of Australia is announced.

Gandhi, Paranjape and Singh are finishing their four-year-term (three plus one) on September 30, but the BCCI is unlikely to interview the aspiring candidates anytime soon.

According to PTI, Cricket Advisory Committee (CAC), comprising Madan Lal (head), RP Singh and Sulakshana Naik, hasn’t yet received any intimation from the board regarding the interviews for the three soon-to-be vacant posts.

“Yes, the CAC hasn’t been sent any intimation as of now. Obviously, the COVID-19 lockdown has put all plans in disarray and now, the focus is on IPL. Also there is no domestic cricket being held at the moment,” a senior BCCI official told PTI on conditions of anonymity.

“If you look, MSK Prasad and Gagan Khoda were replaced in March, 2020 and not September, 2019. There is absolutely no harm if Devang, Jatin and Sarandeep help out Sunil and Harvinder for Australia series and may be the England series. They have covered domestic cricket extensively and they have a fair idea about bench strength,” the source added.