BCCI mulling the prospect of hosting India-WI series at one venue

With the nation registering over 1 lakh cases of Covid-19 on Thursday, panic has set in the BCCI board room as well. After deciding to postpone the Ranji Trophy, Col C K Nayudu Trophy & Senior Women’s T20 League for the 2021-22 season, they are now planning to restrict the limited-overs series against West Indies to one or two venues, Cricket.com learned from their discussion with multiple sources in the privy to the developments.

West Indies are scheduled to travel to India in early February for three ODIs and as many T20Is, for a tour spanning over two weeks. Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Kolkata have been earmarked for the ODIs while Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram are slated for the three T20Is. However, the BCCI is planning to bring the series down to one or a maximum of two venues for the bio-security arrangements. From our discussion with many stakeholders, crowds will not be allowed for any of these games. 

“Things look bleak and we are positioned to hit the peak of this third wave in February. Organizing matches in six venues will add logistical nightmare,” a BCCI functionary told Cricket.com.

A state association official further stated that there is no communication from the BCCI yet regarding the series being restricted to a single venue but he didn’t rule that out either. However, the associations have already started putting the tender documents for vendors to be given the charge. 

India will conclude their commitments in South Africa on January 23 and will return home for the Windies series that starts on February 6.