Colombo:Seems like Srilanka cricket has not heard a piece of good news for a long time. First, its first series loss vs Bangladesh followed by the 0-2 bashing by the England and now the covid cases in the squad ahead of India's tour on home soil.
According to the sources, After Srilanka's batting coach now the data analyst has contracted coronavirus due to which the series is expected to be delayed. Former Zimbabwe's southpaw and now Srilanka's batting coach Andy Flower was tested positive for novel coronavirus a few days back. The latest we hear is that the data analyst G T Niroshan has tested positive. In a span of 72 hours after landing from London 2 cases have been witnessed in the Sri Lankan squad.
After 7 members in the England squad was reported COVID positive who were playing against Lankan, the latter has been reported to a strict quarantine as per the directions of the health minister.
Srilanka had to take on the second string Indian side from 13th July in the first ODI, but now it looks highly unlikely. It is expected that there could be a delay of 5-6 days at the start of the series. According to the top-notch cricket website, the series may be rescheduled from 18th July. However, there is no change in the venue and all the matches will be played at the R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo.
It is to be noted that the Srilankan board has announced 25 member squad for the upcoming series vs India. Dasun Shanaka has been appointed as the skipper and dhananjaya de silva as vice-captain. The rescheduled tour may be announced in the coming days..
While BCCI named Shikhar Dhawan as captain of the Indian cricket team last month. Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar was named Dhawan's deputy for the limited-overs tour.
With several white-ball regulars including captain Virat Kohli away with Test squad in England at the same time, the BCCI has rewarded several domestic performers with an India call-up(WD)