The Board of Control for Cricket in India treasurer Arun Dhumal said on downplaying the logistical issues likely to arise because of the Covid-19 pandemic, stating that India’s tour of Australia later this year is likely to go ahead.
Dhumal admitted that quarantining of Indian players upon their arrival is a possibility, if the Australia tour goes ahead as per schedule.
“You can’t be sure of the situation prevailing at that point of time. As of now the Australia tour is on because nobody has called off that tour and same for the T20 World Cup,” Dhumal was quoted as saying by PTI.
“The need for quarantine ahead of Australia tour only arises if the preceding T20 World Cup doesn’t take place. If the World Cup happens, then players would have already completed their quarantine.”
Dhumal said isolation before the start of the tour can only be a one-off and thinks that hosting the T20 World Cup in November will hold greater logistical problems.
“If quarantine becomes a norm before every tour then it would be difficult to organise games,” he said. “Would it be possible for Australia to have so many teams (16) coming in and quarantining for two weeks? Players will be out of cricket for so long and further two weeks of quarantine and then straightaway to go into T20 World Cup. Who would be interested? So there is no clarity.
Dhumal added: “Once the situation improves and the lockdown ends, then we will see keeping the safety and health of our players in mind as that is paramount.”
India are scheduled to play four Tests Down Under with Cricket Australia considering an additional one. Dhumal said the five-Test series idea was discussed before the lockdown but Cricket Australia could now change its mind considering the severe financial impact Covid-19 has had on the board.
If India tour doesn’t take place, Cricket Australia could lose as much as AUS $300 million. “The India-Australia tour is more likely to happen because it is further away and logistically it easier to organise. We will have to see what government guidelines are at that point.
“How will the team travel? There is no clarity on international travel and if we can get an exemption. We dont’ know as of now. The picture is ho hazy that we can’t decide anything,” said Dhumal.
On Cricket Australia’s idea of an additional Test, Dhumal said: “As far as the fifth Test goes, that discussion happened before the lockdown. When cricket resumes, [we will see] if any country would like to host an additional Test or have two T20s instead, which is likely to generate more revenues. There is a possibility that request comes from Cricket Australia only.”
No resumption of Indio-Pak ties
Dhumal rubbished talks of resumption of India-Pakistan bilateral series following cricket’s resumption. “People are talking about unthinkable things right now...They can think whatever they want to but it is for the board to decide. In an ideal situation, we would want to take Test cricket to a different level but given the situation, we are not even sure when T20s and ODIs can take place next,” he said.
Dhumal revealed that the board is suffering huge financial losses due to the pandemic. “If IPL doesn’t take place the revenue loss will be Rs 40,00 crore. In case, we lose the home season as well, that will also be a substantial amount. BCCI is also facing huge losses. If IPL doesn’t happen then we have a very big problem,” said Dhumal.
If the T20 World Cup doesn’t take place in October-November, staging the IPL is a possibility in that window. “If the situation improves by that time [September-October], we also have think about T20 WC and Asia Cup and accordingly take a call. For a full-fledged IPL to happen, you have to have at least 45-50 days. Whether we get the window or not is still a question mark.”