India’s limited overs tour to Sri Lanka will not go ahead: SLC

The Sri Lanka Cricket Board have officially announced that India’s tour to the island nation, which was scheduled for this month, has been postponed due to COVID-19. India were to play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is during the tour.

A press release from Sri Lanka Cricket stated, “The India National Team Tour of Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to take place during the month of June, 2020 will not go ahead, as scheduled. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) informed Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) that due to the prevailing circumstances revolving around COVID-19 pandemic, the cricket series, which included 3 ODIs and 3 T20I matches will not be feasible.”

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Despite postponement, it can be understood that the tour hasn’t been entirely called off, and the two boards, SLC and the BCCI, remain committed to the FTP. They will now look for an alternate window for the limited-overs series. According to reports in The Island, there is a chance of the Men in Blue touring Sri Lanka in August, provided the government gives clearance.

The BCCI stated in a communication to SLC, “Although, BCCI remains committed to the FTP and towards its fellow members, it will have to seek the advice from Government of India and the health regulatory authorities before taking any decision for the resumption of Cricket.”

With Bangladesh’s tour to Sri Lanka for a 3 Test match series in July also seeming improbable at the moment, SLC will be hoping that the marquee series against India is eventually given the green signal. The understanding betwenn the BCCI and SLC may also extend to Sri Lanka potentially hosting the Indian Premier League as well later this year with Brijesh Patel, the IPL Governing Council Chairman, even stating that BCCI remains open to shifting the tournament out of India this year if required.