Xtra Time Web Desk: The Australian government”s decision to seal its border for the next six months owing to the COVID-19 pandemic could adversely affect India”s Futures Tours Programme (FTP), including the much-awaited face-offs Down Under later this year.
India”s tour of Australia is to begin with a T20 tri-series in October and end with the Tests in December.
In between is the World T20, scheduled for an October 18 start, but the mega-event”s future is also shrouded in uncertainty due to the global health crisis.
In Australia, there has been over 2000 positive cases along with 16 reported deaths, prompting the government to seal the country”s borders.
The Sourav Ganguly-led BCCI, in all likelihood, might have to explore alternate plans amid the pandemic that has so far claimed over 30000 lives across the world.
While the BCCI is yet to take a final decision on this edition of IPL, the international calendar will be another cause of concern as there are tours of Sri Lanka (ODIs and T20s), Zimbabwe, Asia Cup (T20) and home a white ball series against England lined up.
A six-month travel ban means no teams will be allowed to enter Australia for the assignments lined up in the coming times, which includes the World T20 and the tour by the Indian team.
According to the Future Tours Programme, India is supposed to take part in a T20 tri-series involving the hosts Australia and England.