COVID-19: After Sri Lanka, BCCI Calls Off India's Tour of Zimbabwe Due To Coronavirus Threat

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced that the Indian Cricket Team will not travel to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe owing to the current threat of COVID-19," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.

Photo: AFP

New Delhi: The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday called off Indian cricket team's short tour of Zimbabwe in August due to the threat posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The announcement by the Indian cricket board was on the cards after the apex body had announced on Thursday that India's limited overs tour to Sri Lanka in June-July had been postponed indefinitely. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday announced that the Indian Cricket Team will not travel to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe owing to the current threat of COVID-19," BCCI secretary Jay Shah said in a statement.

NEWS : The BCCI on Friday announced that the Indian Cricket Team will not travel to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe owing to the current threat of COVID-19.

More details here - https://t.co/W0zQXwh98x pic.twitter.com/vDLtmCpYfg — BCCI (@BCCI) June 12, 2020

"Team India was originally scheduled to travel to the island nation from 24th June 2020 for three ODIs and as many T20Is and to Zimbabwe for a series comprising three ODIs starting 22nd August 2020," Shah added. The press release also informed that the board is currently in the process to conduct camp for its contracted players but it won't rush into a decision at the moment. "As stated in the earlier press release issued on 17th May, the BCCI will conduct a camp for its contracted players only when it is completely safe to train outdoors. The BCCI is determined to take steps towards the resumption of international and domestic cricket, but it will not rush into any decision that will jeopardize the efforts put in by the Central and State governments and several other respective agencies in containing the spread of the coronavirus," read the press release. The Indian team is yet to resume training and the camp is unlikely to take place before July. The players will take around six weeks to be match ready. "The Office-Bearers have been taking note of advisories issued by the Government of India and the Board is committed to fully comply with the restrictions imposed and guidelines issued. The BCCI will continue to study and evaluate the changing situation." India were scheduled to play in three ODIs and as many T20Is against Sri Lanka, which was originally scheduled to begin on June 24. Against Zimbabwe, India had a three-match ODI series scheduled from August 22.