Highlights
- The BCCI has confirmed that India will play a Test series in Australia in December 2020
- The Virat Kohli-led Indian side is scheduled to play four Tests through December and early January
- India had defeated Australia 2-1 during the last Test series
Saurav Ganguly, the president of the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India), has said the Indian team will be touring Australia for a Test series later this year, provided the players are not mandated to spend two weeks in quarantine.
“We have confirmed that tour. In December we will be coming. We just hope the number of quarantine days get reduced a bit because we don't want the players to go all that far and sit in hotel rooms for two weeks. It is very, very depressing and disappointing,” Mr Ganguly told India Today.
Acknowledging the fresh outbreaks in Victoria, the Indian cricket chief said India will be going ahead with its plan to play in Australia as the rest of the country has been able to contain the virus.
"And, as I said Australia and New Zealand have been in good position except for Melbourne. So, from that point of view, we will be going there and hopefully, the quarantine days will be less and we can get back to cricket,” he said.
As per the released by Cricket Australia (CA), the Virat Kohli-led Indian side will play four Tests through December and early January.
BCCI chief Sourav Ganguly at a press conference in Mumbai (File image). Source: (AP Photo/Rajanish Kakade
While India’s confirmation has instilled some hope that a suspended cricket summer could gain some form of normality, Cricket Australia, however, has cautioned the fixtures may be subject to further changes due to the COVID-19 situation.
Meanwhile, the fate of two major cricketing events- the Indian Premier League's (IPL) 2020 edition and the T20 World Cup to be held in Australia, is still unknown.
Sourav Ganguly on India’s chances in the Test series:
India had thumped Australia 2-1 during the last Test series, which was the first time in 71 years that India won a series in Australia.
Australia at the time were playing without their two star batsmen - David Warner and Steve Smith - both have since made a comeback to the team.
Steve Smith (L) and David Warner(R) Source: Reuters
"It’s going to be a tough series. It’s not going to be what it was in 2018 when they went. It’s going to be a strong Australia, but our team is as good. We have the batting, we have the bowling.
"Because you are Virat Kohli your standards are high. When you walk out to play, when you walk out with your team, I, watching on TV, don't expect you to just play well against Australia. I expect you to win," said Mr Ganguly.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.
If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, stay home and arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
Listen to SBS Punjabi Monday to Friday at 9 pm. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
