Remaining IPL matches to be played? BCCI 'requests' ECB to advance Ind vs Eng Test series; England Board denies receiving any such plea

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BBCI) has requested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to reschedule the five-match test series, by completing it a week earlier, which could give them room to finish the remaining Indian Premier League 2021 tournament. 

Former England captain and renowned cricket writer Michael Atherton has apparently reported about the development in ‘The Times’, a news agency Press Trust of India said. 

The report said, “The Board of Control for Cricket in India has enquired about the possibility of moving the final Test of the English summer in order to make room to complete the postponed Indian Premier League.” 

On the contrary, an ECB official has denied getting any request from BCCI and expects the five-match test series will go as per schedule, a Cricbuzz report said. 

An ECB spokesperson on late Thursday as per the report said, “We talk to the BCCI on a regular basis about a wide range of issues especially as we address the challenges of Covid-19, but have had no official request to change dates and are continuing to plan for the five-Test series as is scheduled.” 

Indian Team is mostly looking at a potential gap of six weeks after completion of World Test Championship final against New Zealand scheduled from 18-22 June in Southampton and the start of the England series 

The five-match test series starts in England with the first match at Nottingham (Aug-4-8), followed by Lord's (Aug 12-16), Leeds (Aug 25-29), Oval (Sept 2-6) and Manchester (Sept 10-14). 

A potential start in the last week of July, with lesser gaps between the Tests, would open the entire month of September in which BCCI can complete the IPL either in the United Kingdom (UK) or more likely in United Arab Emirates (UAE). 

The 14th edition of IPL has been suspended mid-way after players from different teams started testing positive despite of bio-bubble. India has been hit severely with the second wave of coronavirus, daily touching new record high per day cases, however, the covid count has been reducing lately.