The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reportedly requested England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to advance the five-Test series between India and England by a week to give them a better chance of completing the remaining 31 matches of the now-postponed Indian Premier League (IPL 2021).
While no one from BCCI has confirmed the development as yet, former England captain and cricket commentator/writer, Michael Atherton has reported about the development in 'The Times'.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India has enquired about the possibility of moving the final Test of the English summer in order to make room to complete the postponed Indian Premier League," the report said.
"Informal discussions have been had between the respective boards as cricket continues to grapple with a schedule ravaged by Covid."
There is a six-week gap for the Indian team after the completion of the World Test Championship final (June 18-22) and the start of the five-match Test series against England on August 4.
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The five-Test series starts with the first match at Nottingham (Aug-4-8), followed by Lord's (Aug 12-16), Leeds (Aug 25-29), Oval (Sep 2-6) and Manchester (Sep 10-14).
If the series begins in the last week of July, with lesser gaps between the Tests would open up better part of September in which BCCI can complete the IPL either in the UK or the UAE.
Atherton further wrote that ECB's own calendar as well as those hosting counties, which have already sold tickets would be in a fix with this request from the BCCI.
"At this late stage it is hard to see the ECB acceding to any potential change and it is expected to hold its ground," he reported.
"The fifth Test of the India series is due to be held at Emirates Old Trafford between September 10-14. Lancashire have already pre-sold three full days, and with a fair wind between now and then, would expect to sell the match out completely.
"Moving the game at this late stage to earlier in the season would create logistical headaches for Lancashire, the ECB and the England team, not to say those spectators who have spent money and planned to attend," he added.
The move would also affect ECB's 'Hundred' format along with England's international commitments including the white ball series against Pakistan before the India Tests.
"It is easy to understand why India would enquire to see if the schedule can be changed. They complete the World Test Championship final against New Zealand on June 22 and are not due to play the first Test against England until the first week of August, six weeks later," Atherton wrote.
"From India's perspective, it would suit them to move the end of the Test series to an earlier date at the end of July, to allow more space for a completion of the IPL in September."
The IPL was suspended on May 4 after multiple cases of COVID-19 inside the bio-bubble of four franchises.
(With PTI inputs)
