India vs Sri Lanka: Start of India’s limited-overs tour postponed to 17 July due to COVID-19 cases in hosts’ camp – Firstcricket News, Firstpost

The Indian limited-overs team’s six-match series against Sri Lanka was on Friday rescheduled owing to COVID-19 positive cases in the home team camp, with the first ODI now starting on 17 July instead of the 13th.

Sri Lanka’s batting coach Grant Flower and data analyst G T Niroshan have tested positive for COVID-19 on return from the United Kingdom, which has forced Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) to extend the hard quarantine period from the stipulated three days.

“Yes, the series will now start from 17th of July instead of 13th. The decision was taken in consultation with SLC keeping the safety and security of players in mind,” a senior BCCI official told PTI, confirming the development.

File image of Shikhar Dhawan. AP

As per the original schedule, the series was to start with the ODI leg on 13 July, followed by matches on the 16th and 19th. The T20I games were scheduled for 22, 24 and 27 July.

While Niroshan’s confirmation was given on Friday, Sri Lanka’s batting coach Flower tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, 48 hours after the squad’s arrival from England.

All the other players who are quarantining have also been tested.

Before testing negative, Sri Lanka’s squad had faced an anxious wait for the results of their PCR tests on returning home, following a COVID-19 outbreak in the England squad after the final match of their tour in Bristol on Sunday.