New Delhi: The 3-match ODI and T20 series between India and Sri Lanka to be played from July 13 seems to be in danger. The Sri Lankan cricket team’s batting coach, Grant Flower, who returned from the England tour, has been found infected with the corona virus. The entire Sri Lankan team, who returned from the England tour, is currently under quarantine in the biobubble and all the players have been ordered to stay in their rooms after the batting coach tested positive in the Corona test. It is noteworthy that the tour of Sri Lanka, which reached England tour, was very poor, in which it suffered a 3-0 defeat in the first T20 series, while it lost 2-0 in the ODI series.
The last match of the ODI series could not be completed due to rain, after which the Sri Lankan team left directly for their country, while the England team got involved in the preparations for the Royal London series against Pakistan, although due to the Corona Test which came on Tuesday. The results created panic in the English camp in which 7 members including 3 players were found positive. The ECB immediately quarantined the entire team and announced a new 18-man team under the captaincy of Ben Stokes.
In such a situation, after the batting coach of the team that returned to Sri Lanka was found corona positive, other players are also at risk of infection. In view of this, the clouds of danger are hovering over the India-Sri Lanka series. The series between India and Sri Lanka is to start from July 13, with the first match to be played in Colombo. In such a situation, if some more players of the Sri Lankan team are found to be Corona positive, then the board may have to announce a new team, for which time seems less.
Significantly, the Sri Lanka Cricket Board, confirming the news of batting coach Grant Flower being infected with Corona, has said that there will be no impact on the series. The SLC has made it clear that the first match against India to be played in Colombo will be played on July 13 as per its schedule.
Let us tell you that a series of 6 matches limited overs format will be played between the two teams, the first 3 matches will be played in ODI format while the remaining 3 matches will be played in T20 format. All matches of the series will be played at the Premadasa Stadium in Colombo under tight security and in the absence of spectators.
