India pull out of Lanka, Zimbabwe tours due to coronavirus concerns
India pull out of series after Covid concern
New Delhi, June 12: The Indian team’s August tour of Zimbabwe was on Friday called off by the BCCI owing to the Covid19 threat, which hasn’t allowed national cricketers to even resume training. The development comes a day after Sri Lanka Cricket announced that India’s limited overs tour in June-July was postponed indefinitely.
“...the Indian Cricket Team will not travel to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe owing to the current threat of Covid-19,” BCCI secretary Jay Shah said.
“Team India was originally scheduled to travel to the island nation from 24th June 2020 for three ODIs and as many T20Is and to Zimbabwe for a series comprising three ODIs starting 22nd August 2020,” Shah added.
The Indian team is yet to resume training and the camp is unlikely to take place before July. The players will take around six weeks to be match ready, according to the side’s support staff.
Shah, in the release, reiterated the board’s stance that it will organise a training camp only when it is deemed safe by the government.
“...the BCCI will conduct a camp for its contracted players only when it is completely safe to train outdoors. The BCCI is determined to take steps towards the resumption of international and domestic cricket, but it will not rush into any decision that will jeopardise the efforts put in by the Central and State governments in containing the spread of the virus,” Shah added.
He also said that the BCCI is constantly monitoring the Covid-19 situation in the country and will take a call on resumption of cricketing activities after considering all the government guidelines. — PTI