Did BCCI request ECB to prepone Test series for IPL restart?

IPL News: Since the indefinite suspension of the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are trying their level best to look for a possible window to complete the remainder of 31 matches. However, in a massive recent development, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has squashed all the media reports with regards to receiving any special request from the BCCI asking for changes in schedule for the five-match Test series. After the World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand on June 18-22, England is scheduled to host India for a five-match Test series starting with the first Test from August 4 in Nottingham and the tour ending on September 14.

IPL restart in September?

Recently, there were reports coming both from the Indian and English media about the BCCI having requested ECB to tweak the schedule of the Test series in order to create a possible window for the completion of remainder of IPL 2021 season. ECB has clearly mentioned that the five-match Test series against India will go ahead as per the original schedule and have also denied of receiving any sorts of request from the BCCI for the same.

“We talk to the BCCI on a regular basis about a wide range of issues especially as we address the challenges of Covid-19, but have had no official request to change dates and are continuing to plan for the five Test series as is scheduled,” an ECB spokesman was quoted as saying by TOI.

IPL 2021 Update

After multiple cases being reported in the IPL teams’ bio-bubbles, BCCI were left with no other choice than to postpone the tournament indefinitely as the safety of the players was the main priority. With the second wave of Covid-19 pandemic worsening the situation, it is almost impossible to restart the IPL in India at anytime this year. Therefore, according to reports, BCCI is very much eager to host the second leg of the IPL during the September window either in England or UAE.

“The Board of Control for Cricket in India has enquired about the possibility of moving the final Test of the English summer in order to make room to complete the postponed Indian Premier League. Informal discussions have been had between the respective boards as cricket continues to grapple with a schedule ravaged by Covid.

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“At this late stage it is hard to see the ECB acceding to any potential change and it is expected to hold its ground,” said a report in Times London.

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