Lucknow, Mar 14: After announcing India-South Africa series to be played behind the closed doors, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with Cricket South Africa (CSA), to take precaution in wake of the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) outbreak has declared on Friday to reschedule the One-Day International (ODI) ongoing series.
NEWS: BCCI, CSA announce the rescheduling of the ongoing @Paytm ODI series #INDvSA
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 13, 2020
More details 👉 https://t.co/9as9JoX7tG pic.twitter.com/IIvXLLurmy
Previously, the BCCI had stated that the remaining two ODI matches between India and SA will be played without any public gathering. However, considering the severity of the outbreak in the country, they have decided to postpone the series.
"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday announced to reschedule the ongoing ODI series in view of the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) outbreak", it said.
CONFIRMED: The #INDvSA ODI series has been suspended in the wake of a growing number of coronavirus cases. pic.twitter.com/3qE3CnHG24
— ICC (@ICC) March 13, 2020
BCCI reported that all the three ODI matches will be scheduled later the following discussion with the CSA. The official statement said, "The South African team will visit India at a later date to play 3 One-day Internationals. The BCCI-CSA will jointly work out the revised schedule."
Indian Premier League (IPL) which was supposed to start on March 29 has been postponed till April 15 as all the tourist visas have been suspended till that date amid the outbreak.
The COVID-19 has been recently categorized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization due to an increasing number of cases being reported from around the world. Cricket boards have since moved to take preventive measures to prioritize the well-being of players, fans and other stakeholders. According to the latest reports of the World Health Organization, the tally has jumped up to 81 in the nation.
After a number of boards moved to play matches behind closed doors, England and Sri Lanka also decided to postpone the series altogether. Some of the other cricket events affected are the sixth series of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup League 2 and Netherlands' tour of Namibia among others, including a few domestic competitions.