The Asian Cricket Council (ACC), led by Jay Shah, is proposing to organize the Asia Cup 2021 towards the end of June in Sri Lanka, TOI reported on Monday (March 8).

The multi-nation tournament had to be cancelled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to TOI, the BCCI have been locked in a meeting with the ACC to confirm the window for the event.

See Also: Team India to undergo stern quarantine ahead of WTC final in June

The report also suggests that if the Asia Cup goes ahead, the BCCI will second second-string squad for the competition as India’s leading players will be in the United Kingdom, post the World Test Championship (WTC) final, gearing up for the Test series against England.

In such a scenario, the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Rishabh Pant among others won’t be seen in action in the white-ball tournament, which will be played in the T20 format this year.

"There's no other choice. We can't risk the preparation for the series in England. And cricketers can't twice undergo quarantine. If the Asia Cup happens, India will have no option but to send a second-string squad," TOI quoted top sources as saying.

While the WTC final is scheduled to be played from June 18 to 22 with June 23 acting as a reserve day, the five-Test series between India and England is slated to be held from August 4 to September 14.

(With TOI inputs)