The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Friday, called off India’s remaining two ODIs against South Africa in Lucknow and Kolkata because of the global pandemic. Earlier in the day, the Indian Premier League was also postponed till April 15.
The first of the three-match series in Dharamshala on Thursday was abandoned without a ball being bowled due to rain and BCCI have now confirmed that they are in talks with Cricket South Africa (CSA) to reschedule the series.
"BCCI along with CSA on Friday announced to reschedule the ongoing ODI series in view of the global pandemic," BCCI said in a press statement.
NEWS: BCCI, CSA announce the rescheduling of the ongoing @Paytm ODI series #INDvSA
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 13, 2020
More details 👉 https://t.co/9as9JoX7tG pic.twitter.com/IIvXLLurmy
"Cricket South Africa will visit India at a later date to play three One-Day Internationals. The BCCI-CSA will jointly work out the revised schedule."
Earlier it was said that the last two ODIs would be played behind closed doors due to the government directive, which asked for the sporting events to be shut for fans in view of the pandemic.
That said, it is now the second international cricket series which has been called off due to pandemic. Earlier today, England’s tour to Sri Lanka was also called off at the request of the England Cricket Board due to the growing threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like the India-South Africa series, it will also be rescheduled at a later date.
India, the world's second-most populous country after China, has reported 81 cases so far with one death from COVID-19.
Feature image courtesy: AFP / Saijjad Hussain
