India is scheduled to host the West Indies in a white ball series.© AFP
Rapidly rising COVID-19 cases across the country could force the BCCI to reduce the number of venues for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies, but the cricket authority has not yet formally discussed the options. The third wave of coronavirus is quickly gripping the country and several states have introduced curbs, including weekend closures, to prevent the spread of infection. India will host the West Indies for six whiteball matches – three ODIs and an equal number of T20Is – in six venues, starting with the first 50-over match in Ahmedabad on February 6.
“Nothing has been decided at this time. This is a fluid situation and we are monitoring the situation and we will call at the appropriate time,” a senior BCCI official told PTI.
Apart from Ahmedabad, the other venues slated to host the matches are Jaipur (February 9), Kolkata (February 12), Cuttack (February 15), Visakhapatnam (February 18) and Thiruvananthapuram (February 20).
Given the current COVID situation in the country, the board may consider hosting the six matches in three centers to avoid too much travel, as it could leave the players vulnerable to infections.
The West India team is expected to be kept in isolation for three days after landing in Ahmedabad on Feb. 1.
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There will be practice sessions on February 4 and 5 before the action kicks off with the first ODI in Motera on February 6.
The BCCI was recently forced to postpone major domestic tournaments, including the Ranji Trophy and the Col CK Naidu Trophy, due to an increase in COVID-19 cases across the country.
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