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Last week, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) denied reports that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had approached them to tweak the five-match Test schedule between England and India, in order to accommodate the remaining 31 games of the Indian T20 league. 

It was also reported that the BCCI wanted to wrap up the remaining part of the Indian T20 league before the T20 World Cup, which is scheduled later in the year. 

Now, regardless of all speculation, the ECB has said that it is not going to oblige and change dates to accommodate the remaining Indian T20 League fixtures.

“There is no chance of ECB acceding to BCCI’s request of shifting the dates of the Test series. Since they have made their stand point clear informally, I don’t think there is any point of making a formal request,” a senior BCCI source in the know of things told the Press Trust of India (PTI).

The source further added, “The ECB have their inaugural ‘Hundred’ from July 24 to August 21. Their broadcast deals and everything is in place. So there is no chance of any shift happening.” 

Former English captain Michael Atherton too expressed his views in ‘The Times’ about why the ECB would find it tough to alter the Test schedule between England and India.

“At this late stage it is hard to see the ECB acceding to any potential change and it is expected to hold its ground. The fifth Test of the India series is due to be held at Emirates Old Trafford between September 10-14. Lancashire have already pre-sold three full days, and with a fair wind between now and then, would expect to sell the match out completely,” the former opening batsman reasoned. 

Currently, the BCCI is weighing options on where to conduct the remaining part of the Indian T20 league. Although UAE is widely believed to be the venue, the final verdict is still awaited. 

Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team is currently in quarantine at a team hotel in Mumbai. They will be travelling to the United Kingdom (UK) to take on New Zealand in the World Test Championship (WTC) final and the five Tests against England.


Featured photo: Adrian DENNIS / AFP


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