India vs Sri Lanka limited-overs series has been rescheduled owing to the Covid-19 outbreak in the Sri Lankan camp. The series will most likely start on July 17 or July 18.

“Yes, the series will now start from 17th of July instead of 13th. The decision was taken in consultation with SLC keeping the safety and security of players in mind,” a senior BCCI official told PTI, confirming the development.

After Sri Lanka Head Coach Grant Flower, team analyst G T Niroshan has also tested positive for the virus.

“The data analyst of the Sri Lanka National Team, G. T Niroshan, has tested positive for COVID-19. He was found to be positive, following a PCR test carried out among national players, coaches, and support staff yesterday, following the identification of Grant Flower as COVID positive. Niroshan is now undergoing due to medical protocols,” Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) said in a statement.

The quarantine period for Sri Lankan players was expected to end on Friday, but now will be extended by three days. The squad will given a go ahead only after the RT-PCR test results of the players are out. However, the Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) has an alternate plan ready. Two groups of players – one in Colombo and the other in Dambulla – are already in a bubble. They could potentially play against India in the limited-overs series.

“Apart from the UK-returned batch, we have created two more bio-bubbles in Colombo. In one bubble there are 13 players and in another there are 26. So, 39 players are available to pick a squad from. But BCCI would like to play the first team for obvious reasons,” said a Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) source to The Hindu.

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