The new dates for the limited overs series between India and Sri Lanka have been finalized. Now this series will be played from 18 to 29 July. This decision was taken due to the Corona out break in the Sri Lankan squad. Earlier this series was to be held from July 13 to 25.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not yet announced the dates of the matches. But according to media reports, the first ODI will be played on July 18, the second on July 20 and the last match on July 23. At the same time, T20 matches will be played on 25, 27 and 29 July. The board may soon announce the new schedule officially.
According to the first schedule, the first match of the ODI series was to be held on July 13, the second on July 16 and the third on July 18. After this the T20 series was to be played. But in the last 3 days, Sri Lankan team’s batting coach Grant Flower and data analyst GT Niroshan were found positive. After this BCCI and Cricket Sri Lanka decided to postpone it for a few days.
Batting coach and analyst have been infected with the Delta variant
What is worrying for Sri Lanka is that both batting coach Grant Flower and analyst GT Niroshan have tested positive for the delta variant. This variant of corona is more contagious and dangerous. The quarantine period of Sri Lankan players ends on July 12.
Meanwhile, there will be another RT-PCR test of all the players and support staff. Only after their result will it be decided which players will take part in the series against India.
Two more groups of players in the bio bubble
In view of this situation of Corona, the Sri Lankan board has already prepared an alternate plan. Two more separate groups of players are placed in the bio bubble. One group is present in Colombo and the other in Dambulla. If needed, the players present in these groups can be fielded in the series against India.
too soon to say anything
A medical staff of the Sri Lankan team said that it is too early to say which players will play against India. The board and medical team are keeping a close watch on the situation. Something can be said after the result of the next round of RT PCR test.
Both have been infected in England
It is believed that both Grant Flower and GT Niroshan have turned positive in England itself. They have been similar to other players as well, so there is a possibility of other players getting infected too. To avoid false negative reports, the board is conducting one more round of testing.
