Xtra Time Web Desk: Virat Kohli & Co will play a one-off Test in England during their white ball tour to UK in July next year. The Indian team is scheduled to play three ODIs and three T20Is. It was decided after BCCI and the ECB came to an agreement to replace the abandoned 5th Test at Manchester. The one-off Test is likely be part of the incomplete Test series according to a report in Dainik Jagran newspaper.
ECB CEO Tom Harrison has maintained it will be a standalone match. ICC will officially decide on the status of the one off test. Kohli and his boys refused to take the field in Manchester for the 5th Test following a Covid-19 outbreak in the Indian camp. The Indian cricketers were circumspect fearing for their health safety as most of them were accompanied with their families. ECB and former English players have been gung-ho about the decision. The decision also led to a huge loss for ECB. It is understood that BCCI has agreed to play the one-off Test to alleviate the loss.
The exact date of the match is yet to be decided. The BCCI wanted to play two extra T20Is instead of the match. The Indian board is also in strong favour of the Test series to be declared in India’s favour and play the Test as a standalone match. But ECB isn’t in favour. The final decision is to be taken at a later stage.