Sourav Ganguly provides update on possibility of hosting England series in India | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

Sourav Ganguly provides update on possibility of hosting England series in India

Kolkata | ByPress Trust of India
Sep 28, 2020 05:59 PM IST

India’s Covid-19 case load has gone past 60 lakh and the death toll has surged beyond 95,000. England are scheduled to tour India next year between January and March for five Tests, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on Monday said the Board will do all it can to ensure that India’s home series against England remains in the country and domestic tournaments kick off at some point despite the “fluid” COVID-19 situation.

BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.(PTI)
BCCI President Sourav Ganguly.(PTI)

India’s Covid-19 case load has gone past 60 lakh and the death toll has surged beyond 95,000. England are scheduled to tour India next year between January and March for five Tests, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals.

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

“...priority is to make this (series against England) happen in India. We will try to make this happen on Indian grounds. The advantage in UAE is they have three stadiums (Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Dubai),” he said in a media interaction here addressing speculation that UAE could be the host for India given the COVID case count here. BCCI has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Emirates Cricket Board for greater cooperation in conducting matches there.

ALSO READ: Nicholas Pooran produces jaw-dropping superhuman effort to save a six, Tendulkar calls it the ‘best save he’s seen in his life’

“We also have the same facility in Mumbai -- CCI, Wankhede and DY Patil. We also have Eden Gardens. We have to create a bubble. We want to hold our cricket in India, that’s where the game is, that’s where the heart is. But we are monitoring the COVID situation,” Ganguly said after being named brand ambassador of the Bengal Peerless group here.

“Everything is fluid. It’s been hard for the last six months to keep everything in order. You want your cricket to happen. You want lives to get back to normal, there are players involved. But you also want to have a close look at the COVID situation,” Ganguly added.

On to domestic cricket and under normal circumstances, the BCCI would have already started its mega season with Ranji Trophy and Duleep Trophy, the U-23 CK Nayudu Trophy, Vijay Hazare and Deodhar Trophy, and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

In 2019-20 it hosted 2036 domestic games across various age groups in the men’s and women’s category but creating a bio-bubble for so many teams across the country will be next to impossible given the virus threat.

“We are monitoring it. We want to have our domestic season. We have all the combinations, situations ready in our mind. We will try and make it happen as much as we can,” he reiterated.

Ganguly was also asked about the lacklustre IPL form of recently-retired ex-captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni. He backed the iconic finisher to come good for Chennai Super kings.

“In the current situation, it will take some time for him to get back to his old touch. He played a cricket match after about one year and six months. It’s not easy however good you are. It will take some time,” he said.

“When Dhoni was in prime form and was the captain, then I was in broadcast and had said that he should bat at number four,” he recalled.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On