The limited-overs series between India and Sri Lanka has been rocked by multiple Covid-19 cases, even before the start of the first match. Hosts’ batting coach Grant Flower and performance analyst GT Niroshan had tested positive for the virus, which had put the series in jeopardy. But now BCCI secretary Jay Shah has come forward and said that the series will now be commencing on July 18.

As per the quotes in ANI, BCCI secretary, Jay Shah said, “The India-Sri Lanka ODI series will start on July 18 due to coronavirus cases in Sri Lanka camp.”

As per Sri Lanka’s Daily FT, SLC Secretary Mohan de Silva said, “in the event that there are more positive cases leading up to the first ODI on 17 July, they were preparing to field an alternate team from the squads that are practicing in Dambulla and in Colombo and are in a bio-bubble.”

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Meanwhile, there are reports suggesting that one of the Lankan players has also been tested positive. ‘Newswire.lk’ quoted Sri Lankan sources as saying that batsman Sandun Weerakkodi has tested positive for COVID. According to the report on the website, Weerakkodi was with the 15 senior players who were training here while staying at the Cinnamon Grand Hotel.

The report further also stated that Weerakkodi, along with Bhanuka Rajapaksa and several other cricketers, were sent to Dambulla on Friday night to play practice matches ahead of the India series.

The squad staying at Cinnamon Grand also includes Asela Guneratne, Angelo Perera, and Bhanuka Rajapaksa, and all of them will now have to undergo quarantine.

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On the other hand, former India batsman Sanjay Manjrekar feels that Hardik Pandya has recently stated that the flamboyant all-rounder, Hardik Pandya is capable enough to be in the playing XI as a pure batsman.