According to reports, the proposed ODI series between India and Afghanistan is under massive doubt right now, due to timing constraints. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is finding it difficult to schedule the three ODIs in the time available between the WTC Final, to be played from June 7 to 12, and the West Indies tour, to be played from July 12 to August 13. The Men in Blue are scheduled to take part in two Tests, three ODIs, and five T20Is in the Caribbean this summer.
As reported by Cricbuzz, who broke the news, the initial plan to host India versus Afghanistan series was from June 20 to 30. Shortly afterwards, the entire Indian squad would have left for the Caribbean tour on July 7.
But, now that the Asia Cup 2023 schedule is due to be finalised on the day of the Indian Premier League final in Ahmedabad, as announced by BCCI secretary Jay Shah, the proposed three-match ODI series between India and Afghanistan has started to look doubtful. As per the sources in BCCI, if this ODI series does go ahead, then the Indian players will be deprived of rest in the long run with Cricket World Cup being the more important assignment come October and November.
There are other possible reasons for a potential cancellation of the India versus Afghanistan series, as indicated in the report. Although BCCI officials didn’t specify anything, the lack of a broadcast deal could be one possible reason for the Afghanistan tour of India next month. Notably, the broadcast deal for India’s home season of cricket ended with Disney Star after the three-match ODI series against Australia in March this year.
