Sri Lanka Cricket requests BCCI to play bilateral series in July

The sporting scenario across the world has come to a standstill due to the outbreak of coronavirus pandemic. Due to the pandemic, the feasibility of all sporting events looks bleak at the moment and the commencement of much-awaited IPL 2020 also looks unclear.

In the previous month, there were reports that Sri Lanka Cricket was ready to host IPL 2020 in such stern atmosphere. IPL 2020 would have brought more cashflow in Sri Lanka if the tournament was hosted by the Island nation. However, the idea fizzled out eventually and the possibility of the tournament to commence still looks vague.

In the recent development of news, Sri Lanka Cricket has sent an e-mail to their counterparts at Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), requesting the possibility of resuming bilateral series between both the sides in July. The Men in Blue were slated to tour the Island nation in July for three ODIs and as many T20Is. However, due to the current situation across the globe, the likelihood of the series to take place looks slim.

Players from Sri Lanka and India will have to follow strict rules

SLC has indicated the willingness to play the series in late July and is awaiting a reply from BCCI. As reported by Island Cricket, an official has revealed that players of both sides will have to follow strict rules if the series takes place. The matches might be hosted behind closed doors considering the safety of the fans.

The last international cricket match witnessed by the fans before the COVID-19 outbreak was the ODI between Australia and New Zealand. Australia met New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground with no crowd to cheer for the players. The encounter was won by Australia by a comfortable margin of 71 runs and the match was indeed a unique experience for all the fans who were enjoying it through their TV sets.

The subsequent ODIs between Australia and New Zealand were called off in the wake of the pandemic and since then, no cricketing action has been witnessed. The cricket scenario has been put at a halt since the past two months and the T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia is also in jeopardy at the moment. Many reports have suggested that the mega-event might be called off if the situation does not improve in the near future.