India vs West Indies: Mumbai and Hyderabad swap dates for T20I series

BCCI has tinkered the schedule for the upcoming T20I matches between India and West Indies. Initially, the first T20I of the series was supposed to be hosted by Mumbai while Hyderabad had received the chance to host the third T20I.

However, as per the latest reports, the three-match T20I series will kick off at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad while it will end at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. The reports state that the Mumbai Cricket Association was set to lose this match however, Hyderabad Cricket Association saved the day for Mumbai.

The reason behind the swap in India vs West Indies T20I fixtures?

According to Sportstar, the Mumbai Police would not have been able to provide proper security during the T20I match. The reason behind the inability was that 6th December, the date of the first T20I clashed with “Mahaparinirvan Din” of BR Ambedkar and this date also marks Babri Masjid demolition’s anniversary.

As the police force would concentrate on maintaining security during the festivities, they expressed their impotence to give proper security. A senior MCA official said, “The BCCI has agreed to swap the dates of the Mumbai (December 6) and Hyderabad (December 11) games. We were able to carry out the swap after HCA president Mohammed Azharuddin agreed.”

As mentioned ahead, Hyderabad Cricket Association’s co-operation prevented the change of venue as BCCI would have shifted the Mumbai T20I to another city. Last year also, the board had to give up the hosting rights of an ODI match between India and West Indies to the Cricket Club of India’s Brabourne Stadium.

Hence, another missed opportunity would have cost the Mumbai Cricket Association dearly.

Wankhede Stadium’s history

The Wankhede Stadium has played the host to several historic matches in the past with the final of the World Cup 2011 being the most memorable one. BCCI may even consider the venue for the important matches of T20 World Cup 2021 and ICC World Cup 2023 as the games at this venue attract huge crowds even during the IPL.

The last international match played at this ground was a T20I match between India and Sri Lanka where the home team trounced their opponents courtesy of a brilliant spell from Jaydev Unadkat.

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