India’s tour of New Zealand, which was listed as part of the upcoming New Zealand summer, has now been postponed until later next year, NZC spokesperson confirmed on Thursday (September 16).
According to ICC’s Future Tour Programme (FTP), Virat Kohli and company were to play three 50-over games against the Kiwis under the new 2023 ODI Super League.
However, it is now learned that the tour would be taking place after the conclusion of the 2022 T20 World Cup, due to be held in Australia in October-November.
The Black Caps’ busy home summer includes fixtures against South Africa, Bangladesh and Netherlands after the 2021 T20 World Cup. New Zealand will also host the Women’s World Cup 2022 from March 4 to April 3.
The decision regarding the fixtures was taken on Wednesday (September 15) after the New Zealand government released the latest MIQ (managed isolation and quarantine) allocations.
Notably, the New Zealand cricket team has a hectic schedule for the remainder of 2021. They recently toured Bangladesh for a five-T20I series and are currently in Pakistan where they will play eight white-ball games (3 ODIs and 5 T20Is). Some of their players would take part in the second half of IPL 2021 as well.
The Kiwis will then be a part of the T20 World Cup 2021 following which they will play two Tests and three T20Is on Indian soil.
New Zealand cricketers will return home in December and complete a mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
"We’ve got to be mindful of players coming back from a long winter and we’ve got to give them time at home as well," NZC chief executive, David White, had told Stuff.
