Team India was scheduled to tour Zimbabwe in August, but on Friday, it has been called off by the BCCI owing to the COVID-19 threat, which hasn’t allowed national cricketers to even resume training. The development comes a day after Sri Lanka Cricket announced that India’s limited-overs tour in June-July was postponed indefinitely.

Releasing a statement regarding the same, BCCI secretary, Jay Shah said, “…the Indian Cricket Team will not travel to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe owing to the current threat of COVID-19. 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.”

India has reported close to three lakh coronavirus cases with over 8500 deaths. The Indian team is yet to resume training and the camp is unlikely to take place before July.

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The players will take around six weeks to be ready to play a competitive game, according to the side’s support staff. Shah, in the release, reiterated the board’s stance that it will organize a training camp only when it is deemed safe by the government.

Describing the same, Shah said, “…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.”

BCCI secretary also said that the BCCI is constantly monitoring the COVID-19 situation in the country and will take a call on the resumption of cricketing activities after considering all the government guidelines.

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Shah explained, “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.”