BCCI open for Sri Lanka tour in July 'subject to government guidelines': Report

Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are open to touring Sri Lanka for a limited-overs series in July behind closed doors. Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) offered to host India for a 6-match tour (3 ODIs, 3 T20Is) in July amidst coronavirus restrictions with matches to take place behind closed doors.  Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI is still awaiting government directives to schedule an outdoor skills camp for Team India stars amidst India lockdown and would require permission to resume international travel. 

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India lockdown: BCCI open to Team India touring Sri Lanka in July 

Speaking to Hindustan Times, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal said that Indian cricket board is welcoming possibility of a Sri Lanka tour on a top condition that union government allows m to travel for same. Indian cricket stars are currently confined to ir homes amidst India lockdown and have been limited to fitness drills, with IPL 2020 also postponed due to coronavirus pandemic. Dhumal added that BCCI are ready to travel to Sri Lanka despite India lockdown if it doesn't compromise on health and safety of team.  Sri Lanka Cricket Board (SLC) are currently without media rights holders and is looking to attract broadcasters, making an India tour ir best option at moment.

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Earlier, SLC had also offered BCCI to host postponed IPL 2020, amidst India lockdown. Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Mohan de Silva had said that any decision of 'Island Nation' hosting tournament will be taken after Sri Lanka lockdown ceases on May 11 and will face competition from UAE if cash-rich tournament does move abroad. Given India lockdown and series timeline, it is unlikely that bilateral series can be pulled off due to logistics becoming a nightmare to pull off at such a short tice. But SLC would be hoping to land IPL in Sri Lanka if tournament is postponed to September. 

Indian team last played a cricket match on tjheir disappointing tour of New Zealand where y lost Test and ODI series after clinching T20I series. South Africa tour of India was called off midway, while IPL 2020 following tour, also stands indefinitely suspended. India's entire 2020 calendar hangs in balance with tours of Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe scheduled in July-August, before England's tour of India. future of Asia Cup 2020 and T20 World Cup along with India's tour of Australia also remains undecided. 

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