Reports: BCCI mulling to conduct West Indies series at one venue due to worsening Covid-19 situation

The Indian team have a tight schedule ahead of them, and it is set to go underway with the West Indies series comprising three ODIs and as many T20Is in February 2022. However, due to the increase in the number of Covid-19 cases, there is now a big question mark over this series taking place. Besides, fresh restrictions have been imposed in several states of India.

India witnessed more than 1 lakh positive cases on Thursday and thus, panic has set in the BCCI board rooms. As a matter of fact, the board recently decided to postpone several domestic tournaments including the Ranji Trophy, Col C K Nayudu Trophy & Senior Women’s T20 League due to the current scenario pertaining to the deadly virus. According to a report by Cricket.com, the plan is now to restrict the limited-overs series against West Indies to one or two venues.

The Windies are scheduled to travel for the limited-overs series in early February. This tour is expected to span over two weeks. While Ahmedabad, Jaipur and Kolkata are expected to host the one-dayers, Cuttack, Visakhapatnam, and Thiruvananthapuram are slated to host the three T20Is.

Things look bleak at the moment: BCCI functionary

However, the BCCI plans on ensuring that one or two venues host the entire series. One of the major reasons for it being the bio-bubble arrangements, which are made easy when a series is hosted at only a few venues. A BCCI functionary went on to say the same thing, and cited the Covid scare as well.

“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,” said a BCCI functionary. Besides, this limited-overs series is expected to take place behind closed doors, with no crowds allowed.

It is to be noted that a state association further stated that the board is yet to communicate anything with respect to the series being played at only one or two stadiums. The Asian side are currently in South Africa, playing a three-match Test series. Post that, they are scheduled to play a three-match ODI series.