Domestic cricket will start as and when conditions permit: Ganguly to BCCI state units
New Delhi: BCCI President Sourav Ganguly has assured all state associations that domestic cricket will start as and when the situation is safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but did not specify the date from when the season will kick off.
Normally domestic season starts in August but the pandemic has wreaked havoc with the calender and Ganguly's letter to state associations on Thursday made it clear that the Board is yet to lock in a date.
The domestic season is now expected to begin with the Syed Musthaq Ali T20 tournament, tentatively from the third week of November.
"...the BCCI is making all efforts to ensure that domestic cricket resumes as and when the conditions permit. The health and safety of players and all other involved in domestic cricket is of utmost importance to BCCI and we are constantly monitoring all aspects," Ganguly wrote in the letter to presidents and secretaries of the its affiliated member associations.
"All members will be duly informed about the future course of action and suggestions will be taken before we resume domestic cricket."
He said the BCCI was hopeful that the Covid-19 situation will improve in the next few months and domestic cricket will be able to start in a safe environment.
The BCCI chief informed the members about India's commitments in the Future Tours Programme (FTP), including the scheduled tour of Australia later this year and playing host to England early 2021.
He said that India is set to host the T20 World Cup next year and the ODI World Cup in 2023.
"The BCCI and the Indian cricket team will continue to fulfil its FTP commitments. The senior Indian men's team will travel to Australia for its series starting in December this year, and will come back to the country for a series against England starting February next year.
"This will be followed by IPL 2021 in April," Ganguly said.
"The BCCI continues to be the host for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 and the 50-over ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023." The former India captain also said that the tours of the Indian women's team are "under discussion" but did not elaborate further.
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KSRTC bus catches fire near Junior College in Chikkamagaluru
Chikkamagaluru: A KSRTC bus travelling from the city towards Belur caught fire suddenly near the Junior College in Chikkamagaluru on Tuesday. All passengers escaped safely due to the timely action of the driver and conductor.
The bus had left the city bus stand and was heading towards Belur when flames were noticed from the vehicle near the Junior College area. On spotting the fire, the driver and conductor immediately stopped the bus and ensured that all passengers got down safely.
Fire and emergency services personnel rushed to the spot and brought the blaze under control.
Though the bus was carrying several passengers, no injuries were reported. It is suspected that the fire may have been caused due to a diesel leak, sources said.
