Ganguly confirms India's tour of Sri Lanka; rules out the resumption of IPL 2021 anytime soon

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the Indian cricket team will be touring Sri Lanka for a white-ball cricket series in July - three ODIs and five T20Is. The series will be India’s first white-ball assignment after the suspended 2021 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and will begin after the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final. 

The series also rules out the possibility of the resumption of IPL 2021 anytime soon as the month of July offered a window for the tournament to continue. 

Talking to the Sportstar magazine, Ganguly said, “India is supposed to go to Sri Lanka for three ODIs and five T20Is. There are lots of organisational hazards like 14-day quarantine. It can’t happen in India. Too early to say how we can find a slot to complete the IPL.”

The Indian team is supposed to fly to England on June 2, after an eight-day quarantine period in Mumbai, and will lock horns with New Zealand in the maiden WTC final, scheduled to begin June 18 onwards in Southampton. After the WTC final, Virat Kohli’s men will be involved in a five-match Test series against England, scheduled to kick start from August 4, in Nottingham. 

The month of July was the earliest window to resume the 2021 season of IPL but now it seems like the it won’t take place until September. 

On Friday (May 7), BCCI announced a 24-man squad that will fly for England on June 2. Given the quarantine rules around the world, it is expected that the squad will stay in England throughout the month of July to prepare for the Test series. Meanwhile, BCCI may announce a second string team to tour Sri Lanka and test their bench strength. 

The BCCI President also opined on the harsh bubble-life that the players have to embrace in order for cricket to continue during the pandemic. “Bubble life is harsh; it’s the toughest thing. Since last September, a majority of players around the world have been living inside a bubble. There is no option. We can’t play cricket without the bubble”, said Ganguly. 

The 48-year old said he has been in constant touch with the players regarding the challenging times. “I have spoken to the players. The best part is that a majority of them wanted to continue playing. Better off playing sport rather than getting stuck at home. Playing takes your mind off Covid”, he concluded.