India to accept quarantine to save Aussie Test series
India’s cricket team is prepared to undergo quarantine to salvage a money-spinning Test series against Australia, a top official said Friday, but there was less optimism about this year’s Twenty20 World Cup taking place Down Under.
Virat Kohli’s men are scheduled to contest a four Test series in Australia towards the end of the year but will need to isolate for two weeks under current COVID19 rules. Board of Control for Cricket in India treasurer Arun Dhumal said the Test team were willing to make that sacrifice to save the series, which cash-strapped Cricket Australia desperately needs to replenish its coffers.
“There is no choice -- everyone will have to do that (quarantine). You would want to resume the cricket,” Dhumal told Fairfax newspapers.
“Two weeks is not that long a lockdown.”
Australia this month dethroned India as the world’s top-ranked Test team, setting up the series as a blockbuster rivalry. The series would also generate hundreds of millions of dollars for a host organisation struggling during the coronavirus shutdown.
Revenue from the series is so important to Cricket Australia that it has proposed adding a fifth Test, which would mean ditching a oneoff Test against Afghanistan in November.
Dhumal said it was “too early” to make a call on extending the Test series, suggesting Indian broadcasters would prefer more limited overs matches instead because they generate more money.
“They will want to have revenue and revenue most likely will come from ODIS or T20s much more than a Test match,” he said. (AFP)