BCCI Declined England Request to Shift Test Series From India to UAE

With the surge of increase upon coronavirus cases lately in India, The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have reportedly requested the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on the possibility of playing its upcoming Anthony de Mello series be held in UAE.

BCCI is learnt to have said ‘no’ to the request, thus hoping to convince them to play in a bio-secure bubble. England were supposed to feature in a limited-overs series in September, but was postponed to early next year.

India and England are scheduled to play a five-match Test series, which is part of the ICC Test Championship in February-March, but BCCI wants to convert it into a three-match Test series, so that they can make room to accommodate three ODIs and as many T20Is.

While the ECB is acknowledged being open to the idea, it still lingers to them having doubts touring India. our other Cricket News Update: Pakistan Super League to restart its remaining matches in November

BCCI have hired the same firm to prepare a bio-secure bubble that England did when they hosted West Indies and Pakistan in the last two months, hoping it would convince ECB to take their flight to India. BCCI is also ready to keep the Tests to just two venues similar what England did.

Another factor that might be playing on BCCI’s mind is to not lose their home advantage for the Test series as the World Championship final spot is at stake.

While India remains at the top of the points table, but the 0-2 loss to New Zealand earlier this year made things difficult, knowing a tough Australia tour waiting, they believe they should use the advantage of playing in India.

However, that doesn’t seem to be BCCI’s immediate concern as it remains firmly focused on ensuring the IPL season, scheduled to start from September 19 in UAE, to proceed without any stoppage.

They’ve already encountered a problem from Chennai Super Kings in which 13 positive coronavirus cases have been reported after landing in UAE. As a result, it isyet to confirm the fixtures with about two weeks left before the start of the season.