The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly on Wednesday (January 5) opened up about the governing body’s decision to postpone the domestic marquee tournaments due to rising COVID-19 cases in the country.

The BCCI decided to put on hold the Ranji Trophy, which was set to begin later this month, the CK Nayudu Trophy, and the Senior Women’s T20 League due to a surge in COVID cases in India.

However, Ganguly has assured state cricket associations that the BCCI "will do everything to restart the domestic season once the COVID-19 situation is under control" after some marquee tournaments, including the Ranji Trophy, were postponed due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases across the country.

Read Also: BCCI postpones Ranji Trophy 2021-22 and other domestic tournaments as COVID-19 cases rise

Ganguly wrote in a letter to state associations: “As you are aware, we had to put on hold the currently ongoing domestic season due to the worsening COVID-19 situation.”

The BCCI President added: “The COVID cases are rapidly increasing and there were multiple positive cases in many teams. It posed an imminent threat to the health and safety of players, officials, and all others related to the running of the tournaments.”

He also insisted that the BCCI would do everything to restart the domestic season this year.

Ganguly concluded, “The BCCI would like to reassure that it will do everything to restart the domestic season once the COVID situation is under control. We are committed to holding the remaining tournaments for this season. The Board will shortly come back to you with a revised plan. I thank you for your support and understanding. Please look after yourself and stay safe and healthy.”

Notably, the Bengal squad’s seven members and Mumbai all-rounder Shivam Dube along with Mumbai’s video analyst had tested positive for COVID-19 in the run-up to the Ranji Trophy.

(With PTI Inputs)