India's Tour of Zimbabwe Likely to go Ahead, BCCI May Send Second-String Team: Reports
India are scheduled to travel to Zimbabwe for a short limited overs series from July 10 to 19 but the tour had come under doubt differences emerged between the BCCI and broadcasters Ten Sports.
India's impending tour of Zimbabwe could after all take place with the BCCI reportedly planning to send a second string team to the African nation. The short limited-overs series scheduled to be held from July 10 to 19, had been rendered doubtful, when Zimbabwe Cricket had said the tour could be postponed to next year if the ongoing issues between the BCCI and broadcaster Ten Sports are not resolved anytime soon.
India have been playing virtually non-stop since November last year when they travelled to Australia for a four-Test series and a triangular tournament also featuring England. After making it to the semifinal of the World Cup, the 2011 world champions returned home to play the Indian Premier League. Shortly afterward, the players departed to take part in a one-off Test match and three ODIs against Bangladesh. While the Test was rain-truncated and ended in a draw, the two-time world champions lost the ODIs 2-1, suffering their first ever bilateral series defeat to Bangladesh. It was reported that player-fatigue was also another reason the BCCI was wary of going ahead with the tour.
But a report in ESPNCricinfo said BCCI and ZC officials were discussing last-minute details on the sidelines of the ICC annual conference, which is being held in Barbados. India are scheduled to play three ODIs and two T20 Internationals. The report also said that since Ten Sports have not heard about any cancellation from ZC, the channel went ahead with a promotional advertisement on Wednesday.
According to the report, the Indian board is likely to meet on June 29 to select the squad for the Zimbabwe tour. Most of the senior cricketers who toured Bangladesh could be rested.