Sri Lanka vs India series likely to be delayed after COVID-19 outbreak in host camp

India’s upcoming limited-overs series against Sri Lanka is very likely to have a delayed start as a result of the number of Covid-19 cases that have broken out in the Sri Lankan camp. It was scheduled to begin with the ODIs on July 13 initially. However, it is now more likely to begin four days later on July 17. According to the new schedule proposal, as reported by ESPNCricinfo, the second and third ODI will take place on July 19 and 21 respectively. The T20 series is likely to begin from July 24.

The subcontinent side only recently returned from a tour of England. During that series, three of their players were caught flouting COVID norms and bio-bubble rules and were immediately suspended. Following their departure from England, as many as seven English players tested positive for the virus. 

Sri Lanka’s data analyst GT Niroshan tested positive on Friday, a day after their batting coach Grant Flower also tested positive, for the Delta variant of the virus. The duo has been moved to intermediate care units, while the Sri Lankan team has now been forced to isolate for two more days.

“The Data Analyst of the Sri Lanka National Team, GT Niroshan, has tested positive for Covid 19. He was found to be positive, following a PCR Test carried out among the National Players, Coaches, and Support Staff yesterday, following the identification of Grant Flower as Covid Positive. Niroshan is now undergoing due medical protocols,” the Lankan cricket board said in a statement.

They were originally supposed to enter the bio-bubble on Friday but now they will have to undergo a fresh set of RT-PCR tests and those results will determine whether Sri Lanka can field the players who are currently in isolation.

As a contingency, the SLC had arranged for two other groups of players, one in Colombo and one in Dambulla who could potentially stand in for the main squad. Either way, it is going to be a rather hectic period for the Sri Lankan cricket team as they will have to live under stricter rules from now onwards after the multiple positive cases inside the camp.