iNDICA NEWS BUREAU-
Finally, after almost 3 months of silence, there is some activity happening in Indian sports. Fans of Team India may just have to wait for a couple of months more before they see their favorite stars in action. Indications are that the Indian team, struck in a national lockdown presently, may resume international cricket with a limited-overs tour to Sri Lanka in August.
According to a report in ‘The Island,’ the BCCI gave the green signal to Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) for the tour, on Monday, provided the Indian government gives clearance for it.
Team India has not played any kind of international cricket since they returned from the New Zealand tour. The Men in Blue was set to play three-match ODI home series against South Africa. But, BCCI postponed it for an indefinite period amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
The Virat Kohli-led side was scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is against the Islanders starting in June. But due to the virus, the series got postponed.
A BCCI official spoke to IANS that it was too early to comment on the tour considering that it is almost two months away and the situation with regards to the pandemic keeps changing and the government is constantly pushing out fresh directives with an eye on human lives.
“Wait and watch is what we are following for the moment. It is still two months away and like we have said time and again, safety is a priority and we will abide by the directives issued by the government. Too early to answer the question of whether the tour will happen or not. We have not taken any decision as of now.”
As far as the series is concerned, an SLC official told that they will try to fill 30 to 40 percent venues as per their plan. But they will also have to follow all the instructions and guidelines issued by the government.
“Ideally, we would want to fill up 30 to 40 percent of the venues. Spectators can maintain one-meter distance and watch games. However, the final call will be made by health officials. We will follow all their instructions,” he said as quoted by The Island.
The good days for cricket lovers are not far as cricket associations have begun taking steps in a positive direction. On Tuesday, West Indies team departed to England to play three-match Test series starting from July 8. And, it is going to be a historic series that will be played under new rules and regulations issued by ICC due to COVID-19 pandemic.
One might not be able to cheer the team in person, but at least they can be glued to their TVs and watch a new rather than watch the repeats of the old matches.
