In all likelihood, the Indian cricket board might send a second-string Indian national cricket team to Asia Cup. Given the packed schedule of the Indian national cricket team, the board does not want to risk the preparation of the team for the series in England.
Sri Lanka to host Asia Cup
Indian national cricket team made it to the final of ICC World Test Championship and they would be facing New Zealand for the same in the Lord’s from June 18 to June 22. Due to the pandemic, on the other hand, Sri Lanka might host the Asia Cup in late June. This means there could be a clash. Moreover, the Indian cricket team will be playing a five-match Test series against England in August. To avoid all possible issues, BCCI might send a second-string team to the Asia Cup, as per a report on Times of India.
“There’s no other choice. We can’t risk the preparation for the series in England. And cricketers can’t twice undergo quarantine. If the Asia Cup happens, India will have no option but to send a second-string squad,” top sources confirmed as per a report in TOI.
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ECB preparing for mega WTC final
Meanwhile, the Indian national cricket team, led by Virat Kohli is expected to travel to England in the first week of June after the completion of the Indian Premier League on May 30. They will be in 14-day quarantine upon arrival in England and having a camp at the Hilton hotel in Southampton as it is within the premises of the stadium Ageas Bowl.
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The report in the Times of India also mentioned that the England and Wales Cricket Board has probably booked the entire hotel from June 1 to 26 in order to create the bio-secure bubble for the mega finale. The ICC has also reserved an extra day for the Test match in case they have to deal with the weather issues in the United Kingdom.
