BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said the Virat Kohli-led Indian team wouldn't mind playing the entire Test series against Australia in a bio-secure Adelaide Oval in wake of the health risk posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The option is borne out of the minds of the BCCI's Aussie counterparts, Cricket Australia (CA), as the governing body is foreseeing heavy losses if the marquee bilateral series against the Indians doesn't take place on time.
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Reportedly worth A$300 million ($193.77 million) in broadcast revenue, India's three T20Is, four Tests and three ODIs visit down under is extremely important to CA, which is suffering badly amid the lockdown.
"The boys would be very keen to go back to the field," Dhumal told Reuters in an interview. "If the situation allows only one venue for all the matches, so be it. Maybe when lockdown is lifted, it would be the new normal that everyone has to follow."
"There’s talk of matches without spectators. Nobody would like that, but if it comes to that and there’s no other way, one may have to do that."
"It’s still six-seven months down the line. We’ll take the right call in the best interest of the safety and health of our boys."
BCCI itself is worried over the postponement of IPL 2020, given the money at stake for everyone involved.
The board has received offers from Sri Lanka and UAE to host the league's 13th edition at some stage, but that is an idea it isn't too keen for.
"The Indian government has put in travel restrictions. So even if somebody makes an offer, you can’t travel there. Where is the question of holding the tournament?" Dhumal said.
BCCI will also be looking at developments at the ICC level with keen interest, with the probable suspension of T20 World Cup opening up a window for the autumn IPL.
"If IPL has to happen, there has to be a clear-cut window of 30-40 days,” said Dhumal. "If T20 World Cup does not happen, and there’s a window available, then it would be worked out, subject to restrictions of course."
The board might look to again flex its powerful muscles in a battle where all cricket boards wish to have things their way once the pandemic is over in terms of the rejigged FTP.
“We may want our foreign players but there could be some tours happening, some bilateral series going on," said Dhumal, continuing on the prospects of IPL 2020.
"And their availability is subject to so many conditions - whether foreign boards would allow their players to travel. A few countries may still be in lockdown."
"As of now, everyone is engaged for the T20 World Cup. If that tournament is not there, then all boards have their players available (for IPL)," he concluded.
(Inputs from Reuters)
