MUMBAI: Covid-19 is beginning to disrupt cricket again. Earlier this week, England was forced to field a 'second XI' against Pakistan in the ODI series at home due to seven members in its camp being infected by the virus.
On Friday, it emerged that the six-match limited overs series between India and Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to begin on July 13, has been postponed by four days and will now begin on July 17 due to an outbreak of multiple cases in the Lankan camp.
As per the revised itinerary, the second and third ODIs could then be held on July 19 and July 21, with the T20I series likely to kick off from July 24. All the matches will be played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Apparently, a rattled Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC), with an idea to extend the quarantine time of its players as a precautionary move, sent the revised schedule to the BCCI and the broadcasters on Friday. The BCCI will keep all its options on the tour open, depending on the number of Covid cases in the Lankan camp. In case that happens, the possibility of Sri Lanka fielding an altogether different team, like England did recently, cannot be ruled out. SLC is likely to formally announce the revised itinerary of the tour on Saturday.
After batting coach Grant flower tested positive for the Delta variant of the virus on Thursday, two more members in the Lankan camp, including data analyst GT Niroshan also tested positive on Friday.
The BCCI is concerned over the spread of the virus within the Lankan camp. Meanwhile, the Indian team has quarantined itself within the team hotel and is taking all necessary precautions. An official word is likely to come out soon.
TOI tried contacting SLC, but there was no response. The home board, it is learnt, is sweating at the prospect of a cancellation. In fact, the government of Sri Lanka could step in to take control of the situation and to assuage any fears whatsoever on part of the Indian cricket board. Industry sources underline BCCI's sentiment given the situation at hand, and are looking forward to see what line the Indian board takes going forward.
