BCCI's bid to make adjustments in the 5-match Test series to open a window for the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been declined by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). It was speculated that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) asked to cut down on one match that was supposed to take place in September to make room for the remaining 31 matches of IPL 2021.
"There is no chance of ECB acceding to BCCI's request of shifting the dates of the Test series. Since they have made their standpoint 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 PTI.
The ECB stated that it has scheduled The Hundred - a new tournament featuring eight teams- starting from July 21 2021 to August 21. The Hundred is a completely new form of cricket where each team gets to bowl 100 balls per innings unlike the traditional 120 balls in a T20.
"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," added the source.
India is bound to play the World Test Championship Final from 18 June against New Zealand in Southampton. Post this match, there is a long break between the start of the next series that India plays against England from August 4, 2021. The next match at Lords will be played from 12 August followed by a ten-day break to accommodate 'Hundred' matches.
Even Former English batsman and commentator Michael Atherton had also hinted that ECB won't comply to BCCI's demands. He wrote, ”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 has already pre-sold three full days, and with a fair wind between now and then, would expect to sell the match out completely,” in the ‘Times’.