India’s tour of New Zealand postponed until 2022

India’s tour of New Zealand, supposed to be a part of the upcoming New Zealand summer, has now been postponed until 2022, an NZC spokesperson confirmed. As per the International Cricket Council’s Future Tour Programme, Virat Kohli and Co were set to play three ODIs against the Black Caps as a part of the Super League for qualifying for the 2023 edition of the World Cup in the subcontinent.

However, it’s learned that the tour would be scheduled after the conclusion of the 2022 T20 World Cup later next year in Australia. It means that The Netherlands, South Africa and Bangladesh are the only three visiting teams in New Zealand after the 2021 T20 World Cup. Thereafter, New Zealand are also set to host the Women’s World Cup from March 4 to April 3.

On Wednesday, September 15, the New Zealand government released the latest MIQ (managed isolation and quarantine) allocations after which the decisions on the tours were taken.

Chock-a-block schedule ahead for New Zealand

This year, the Kiwis have a hectic schedule ahead of them. After their T20I series in Bangladesh, a few of their players would take part in the 2021 Indian Premier League from September 19. Thereafter, New Zealand will be a part of the World Cup following which they will play two Tests and three T20Is on Indian soil.

It means they will return home in December and will have to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine period. “We’ve got to be mindful of players coming back from a long winter and we’ve got to give them time at home as well,” David White, the NZC chief executive, had previously told Stuff.

As far as the Indian players are concerned, they recently took part in the Test series against England. The final game at the Old Trafford in Manchester had to be postponed for an indefinite time period due to COVID-19 fears in the Indian camp after few of their staff members contracted the virus.

The BCCI, thereafter, announced that that the players, travelling from the UK to the UAE, will have to undergo a six-day quarantine period. The UAE is set to host the second leg of the 2021 IPL, scheduled to start on September 19.