Team India fielding two different squads simultaneously might become a norm for the future, considering the mentally draining world of bio-bubbles that cricketers are forced to live amid the COVID-19 pandemic, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said on Wednesday (June 16).
During the upcoming England tour, the Virat Kohli-led Indian side will play the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand in Southampton (June 18-22) followed by a five-match Test series versus England in Nottingham, London, Leeds and Manchester (August 4-September 14).
With star players being away in UK, Indian contingent led by Shikhar Dhawan will travel to Sri Lanka for three ODIs and as many T20Is in July.
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“It is a definite possibility that India could play another limited overs tour with a younger squad while the main team players are playing elsewhere or need a break. The Covid-19 related restrictions also need to be factored in,” Dhumal told PTI in an exclusive chat.
“It (two India squads) also shows the solid bench strength of the Indian team and gives us an opportunity to organise more bilateral cricket and help other boards which are facing financial challenges amid the pandemic.”
“It is imperative to come up with new ideas to deal with the loss of bilateral cricket that has happened over the last 18 months,” he added.
Commenting on women’s cricket, for which the BCCI often receives flak, Dhumal said the board is taking all the necessary steps to develop the game in the country.
“Women’s cricket has come a long way after it came under the aegis of BCCI. The sport will grow even more in the future and the board will leave no stone unturned to give more exposure and opportunity to budding women cricketers,” he stated.
“The board has already made a conscious attempt to give them substantial game time before the World Cup (next year) with tours of England and Australia lined up.
“We are also really happy to see them playing Tests again and wish the players the very best.”
However, he conceded that it would be tough to slot in the Women’s Challenge during the UAE-led of IPL 2021 as the team is slated to tour Australia in September for three ODIs, a pink ball Test and three T20s.
The players will also need to undergo a 14-day quarantine after landing in Australia.
“With the way schedule stands, it is tough to find a window for the Women’s Challenge during the IPL,” said Dhumal.
(With PTI inputs)
