Rahul Dravid Picture Credit: Getty Images
The focus of the Indian cricket circuit is slowly shifting towards the ICC World Test Championship. With India set to take on New Zealand in the final at Southampton in more than a month time, Virat Kohli and his men would look to be ready for the all-important assignment. While it was earlier known that there will be a month gap between the Test Championship final and the five-match Test series against England, BCCI president Sourav Ganguly confirmed on Saturday that a limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka will take place in the middle.
No Virat and Rohit in the tour of Sri Lanka
Ganguly clarified that it will be a completely different side as the players in England won't be able to come to Sri Lanka owing to the logistical issues during COVID-19 times. Hence another set of players, without the likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah will head to Sri Lanka.
Also Read: India Tour of Sri Lanka dates announced; to play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is
Meanwhile, it is now being reported that even the National Cricket Academy staff headed by Rahul Dravid, will travel with a team full of limited-overs specialists. They will be responsible for the coaching and other responsibilities for the 3-ODI and 3-T20I series in Sri Lanka in absence of regular coaching staff led by Ravi Shastri who will be with the separate Indian contingent in the United Kingdom.
Remaining IPL matches can't happen in India: Ganguly
Meanwhile, former India skipper Ganguly, also announced that the remaining IPL 2021 matches will not be held in India. He further said that it is a little too early to predict whether the Indian board will get a proper window to finish off the remaining IPL fixtures. UK, UAE and even Sri Lanka have reportedly emerged as potential venues to host the tournament but a final call on the suspended T20 competition remains to be taken.