BCCI determined to host England; start domestic cricket: Ganguly

The Board of Control for Cricket in India remains committed to host England and start the domestic season at some point of time even as the COVID-19 cases in the country have breached the six million mark.

England are scheduled to play five Tests, three One Day Internationals and three T20 Internationals in India between January and March next year.

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who is in the UAE for the ongoing Indian Premier League, has reportedly said that the board will do all it can to ensure that India’s home series against England remains in the country and domestic tournaments kick off at some point despite the “fluid” COVID-19 situation.

There has been no competitive cricket in India under the aegis of the BCCI ever since South Africa had to abandon their tour due to the breakout of the SARC CoV2 virus pandemic in the country.

“Priority is to make this (series against England) happen in India. We will try to make this happen on Indian grounds. The advantage in UAE is they have three stadiums (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai),” Ganguly reportedly said in response to speculation that BCCI might also host the England series in the UAE.

The BCCI has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Emirates Cricket Board for greater cooperation in conducting matches in the Emirates.

“We also have the same facility in Mumbai at the Cricket Club of India, Wankhede and DY Patil (stadiums). We also have Eden Gardens. We have to create a bubble. We want to hold our cricket in India, that’s where the game is, that’s where the heart is. But we are monitoring the COVID situation,” Ganguly said.

“Everything is fluid. It’s been hard for the last six months to keep everything in order. You want your cricket to happen. You want lives to get back to normal, there are players involved. But you also want to have a close look at the COVID situation.”

On to domestic cricket and under normal circumstances, the BCCI would have already started its mega season with Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, the U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy, Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

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