The schedule for next month’s three-match T20I series between India and Afghanistan could be changed, with discussions underway between the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). However, no final decision has been taken yet on rescheduling the matches.
The ACB has reportedly requested that the series be brought forward by a few days. One of the proposed changes could see a match being played on September 14, which coincides with Ganesh Chaturthi. The possibility of changing the dates had been reported earlier as well.
The three T20Is are currently scheduled for September 13, 15 and 17. However, the BCCI has reportedly received a request to move the matches to September 11, 13 and 14. The proposal has been made keeping in mind the cultural events taking place in India around that period.
According to reports, the ACB has also cited requests from its stakeholders while putting forward the revised schedule. It is believed that the Afghanistan board feels that holding one of the matches on a festival day could help boost television viewership as well as attendance at the stadium.
All three matches are scheduled to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. The series will be a notable one as Afghanistan will host India in a bilateral series for the first time, although all the matches will be played in India.
There is also a belief within sections of the ACB and its stakeholders that the BCCI could agree to the proposed changes. With the proposed series against Bangladesh reportedly unlikely to take place, India could have a relatively open window after their Test series in Sri Lanka ends on August 27 and before the Asian Games begin on September 24.
Both the BCCI and ACB have been approached for their response on the possible schedule change. Meanwhile, the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), which will host the matches, has said it has no information about any revised schedule at present.
India and Afghanistan recently played a Test and three-match ODI series in June. The upcoming T20I series will complete their bilateral engagements across all three formats. BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia had earlier said that the T20I series would give the two teams the opportunity to compete against each other across all three formats.
