Some players are stuck in Mumbai and Bengaluru: BCCI official reveals Sri Lanka tour is close to impossible at present

The sporting scenario has been put to a halt due to COVID-19 outbreak and the whole world is currently battling against the coronavirus pandemic. India is presently observing the final day of the third phase of lockdown and considering the current situation, the lockdown might be extended further until the COVID-19 situation subsides.

Due to the pandemic, there is a lot of uncertainty over the resumption of sporting events as the much-awaited IPL 2020 has also been postponed indefinitely at the moment. Recently, Sri Lanka Cricket had sent an e-mail to their counterparts at the BCCI, requesting them to play a bilateral series between both the nations in July.

India were going to tour the island nation in July for three ODIs and as many T20Is. However, due to the present scenario, the possibility of the series looks bleak as Indian players might have to stay indoors for another few weeks.

‘We all need to wait and watch how things unfold’: BCCI official

Since none of the players has braced the field since a couple of months, they will need to train first before resuming any form of competitive cricket. The proposal by SLC had raised the hopes of many cricket fans who were eagerly waiting for the sport’s resumption. However, a BCCI official has ruled out the possibility of the series and has said that some of the players are stuck in Mumbai and Bengaluru.

“I would say it is close to impossible at present. Firstly, we need to take one step at a time in the current scenario and you do realise that some of our players are stuck in Mumbai and Bengaluru — two zones which are highly affected by the pandemic,” said the official as quoted by Times Now.

The BCCI official also questioned if the players would be allowed to travel to another country in such a tough time.

“Without even going into the question on whether the Indian team would travel without the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma among others, I would say will international travel be permissible? So, we all need to wait and watch how things unfold,” he added.

Reacting to the proposal of SLC, Arun Dhumal, BCCI’s treasurer, had earlier hinted that India is open to playing in Sri Lanka. “It all depends on government directives pertaining to lockdown relaxations and travel restrictions. We are open to travel if it doesn’t compromise the safety and health of our boys,” Dhumal had written in reply.