New Delhi: India’s limited-over series against Sri Lanka, which was scheduled to start on July 13, has been pushed five days back after COVID-19 breached the hosts’ camp. The series which comprises three ODIs and the same number of T20Is will now start on July 18.
“The India-Sri Lanka ODI series will start on July 18 due to coronavirus cases in Sri Lanka camp,” BCCI Secretary Jay Shah told ANI on Saturday. While the first ODI starts on July 18, the second and third ODIs will be played on July 20 and 23. The three T20I will be played on July 25, 27 and 29.
India-Sri Lanka ODI series to start by July 18, due to #COVID19 cases in the Sri Lankan camp: BCCI Secy Jay Shah to ANI
(Pic: Jay Shah Twitter) pic.twitter.com/1Af9xQ9vXD
— ANI (@ANI) July 10, 2021
The decision comes after several members from the Sri Lanka squad tested positive for COVID-19. Keeping the safety of the players in minds this decision has been taken in consultation with the Lankan camp.
“All players of the team have tested negative, but we are mindful of the fact that the team’s batting coach & data analyst tested positive and for that reason, we are likely to reschedule the series”, Sri Lanka Cricket Secretary Mohana De Silva was quoted as saying to PTI.
As many as four COVID-19 positive cases were reported from the Sri Lankan camp over the past few days, with batting coach Grant Flower getting infected with the highly infectious Delta variant, which is considered more severe and infectious.
A couple of staff members and their video analyst GT Niroshan also contracted the virus. According to report by PTI, a Sri Lanka batsman in alternate squad has also tested positive for coronavirus on Saturday.
