If there’s a window available, India will be open to playing a five-match Test series on their tour of Australia which is scheduled to take place in December this year, BCCI treasurer Arun Dhumal has said. However, in that scenario, he said, they will prefer playing some more limited-overs matches will be ideal as they are likely to generate more revenue.
With the danger of cancellation looming over the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup amid the coronavirus crisis, Cricket Australia (CA) will be having an immense dependency on India’s tour to make up for the massive financial losses it’s expected to suffer. There have been reports of CA wanting India to play five instead of four Tests they usually Down Under.
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However, BCCI says a call can only be taken once cricket resumes. As per the quotes in Sydney Morning Herald, Dhumal said, “Once we are sure when cricket will resume, then only will we be able to make a final call on that. That discussion [on five Tests] took place before the lockdown. If there is a window available it would be up to the boards to decide whether they wanted to go for a Test match or maybe two ODIs or maybe two T20s.”
He further elaborated, “Given the revenue loss they will have on account of lockdown, post-lockdown they will want to have revenue and revenue most likely will come from ODIs or T20s much more than a Test match. For any board for that matter, there has been a lot of revenue loss on account of this lockdown and COVID-19, so they would need to think about that.”
The fate of the T20 world cup seems in jeopardy as there certain travel restrictions, but the prospect of India tour happening is brighter with Dhumal himself positive. Indian cricketers will be ready to accept any measures as part of efforts to contain the deadly coronavirus including entering isolation for two weeks.
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BCCI treasurer explained, “Two weeks is not that long a lockdown. That would be ideal for any sportsman because when you are in quarantine for such a long period, then going to another country and having a two-week lockdown it would be a good thing to do. We’ll have to see what the norms are post this lockdown.”
Dhumal also believes it would “not be wise” to have players directly playing international cricket at a global event if that is the case.
