India-Sri Lanka white-balls series including three ODI’s and three T20I’s has been rescheduled. The matches will be played from July 18-29 following a revised schedule.
India-Sri Lanka ODI and T20I series has been shifted from July 18-29, confirmed by BCCI. As per the previous schedule, the six matches were to be played from July 13 and July 25.
The changes in the schedule are followed by the sudden rise of Covid-19 cases in the Sri Lankan camp, which has just returned from an England tour. So far, it is reported that the batting coach, Grant Flower, and the video analyst, GT Niroshan have tested positive.
“Yes, there is a new schedule for the matches in Sri Lanka,”
confirmed the BCCI secretary, Jay Shah. The Sri Lankan officials have called the BCCI secretary on Monday (July 10) for the approval of the revised schedule.
However, Indian team management was not aware of the planned changes in the schedule till late Friday night and they were strictly following the Covid-19 protocols.
The Shikhar Dhawan-led Indian side was preparing for their first game on July 13 but now they will play three 50 over fixtures on July 18, 20, and 23 and three matches of the T20I series from July 25, 27, and 29. All matches are scheduled to be played at R Premadasa International Cricket Stadium in Colombo.
The governing body for cricket in Sri Lanka has also tried to contact the broadcaster, Sony Sports, which has been promoting the India-Sri Lanka series for last month.
It would have been ideal for the broadcasters if the series had gone with the previous dates because, in that scenario, only a couple of games would have overlapped with Olympic Games, starting from July 23.
But because Covid-19 cases are increasing in the Sri Lankan camp, all the parties have agreed to a revised schedule.
“Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) in consultation with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) decided to reschedule the dates of the ODI and T20I series,”
SLC said in a statement.
“The move is aimed at providing more time for the Sri Lanka National Players and the Support Staff to complete required health protocols before getting onto the field, following the detection of two members (Batting Coach and Data Analyst) of the National Squad as Covid Positive.”
The BCCI understood the situation very well and said that they are willing to cooperate with SLC at any level, which revised the dates following the advice from the health ministry of the Sri Lankan government.
“We understand that circumstances are extraordinary, but the BCCI would like to extend its full support to Sri Lanka cricket (SLC) during these tough times for the smooth conduct of the upcoming series,“
Jay Shah stated in a BCCI release.
“Our medical team is in constant touch with the team of doctors at SLC and together following all safety protocols that will help the series to get underway. We are confident that both nations will put up a spirited show in the days to come and we are in for some exciting cricket.
“We are grateful to the BCCI for understanding the situation and agreeing to cooperate with us at this moment, as it has done on numerous occasions, during our long-standing relationship,”
added SLC CEO, Ashley de Silva.
India-Sri Lanka revised schedule
ODI series
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st ODI | July 18 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| 2nd ODI | July 20 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| 3rd ODI | July 23 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
T20I series
| Match | Date | Venue |
| 1st T20 | July 25 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| 2nd T20 | July 27 | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| 3rd T20 | July 29 | R. Premadasa Stadium |