COVID-19: If Australian travel ban stays for 6 months, India's tour could be affected

Australian government's decision to seal its border for next six months owing to COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect India's Futures Tours Programme (FTP), including much-awaited face-offs Down Under later this year.

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India tour of Australia 2020

India's tour of Australia is to begin with a T20 tri-series in October and end with Tests in December. In between is World T20, scheduled for an October 18 start, but mega-event's future is also shrouded in uncertainty due to global health crisis. In Australia, re have been over 2000 positive cases along with 16 reported deaths, prompting government to seal country's borders.

Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI, in all likelihood, might have to explore alternate plans amid pandemic that has so far claimed over 30,000 lives across world.

While BCCI is yet to take a final decision on this edition of IPL, international calendar will be ar cause of concern as re are tours of Sri Lanka (ODIs and T20s), Zimbabwe, Asia Cup (T20) and home a white ball series against England lined up. A six-month travel ban means teams will be allowed to enter Australia for assignments lined up in coming times, which includes World T20 and tour by Indian team.

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'Right w it's too early to say anything'

"Right w it's too early to say anything. It's a potential six-month travel ban. If situation is under control, it could be lifted early also," a senior BCCI office-bearer, privy to developments, told PTI on condition of anymity.

But those who have an idea of FTP calendar admitted that practical problem in such a situation could be T20 tri-series, which starts at beginning of October and involves Australia and England.

"If international travel ban, in reality, exists for six months, n it becomes a logistical nightmare. At least, for T20 tri-series before World T20. processing of visas, tickets everything becomes a logistical challenge. Also t only Australia, but England is also supposed to tour India in September for ir white-ball leg. Will things be rmal in UK and players allowed to travel. se are big questions," ar BCCI source said.

If World T20 is pushed back, n four-Test series between India and Australia, which is part of World Championship, could also get affected." frustrating aspect is that you can't even decide anything as situation varies from country to country. However helpless it might sound, we can only wait and watch," source said. 

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(Im Courtesy: PTI)