BCCI hits WICB hard, snaps bilateral ties

The working committee of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday came down heavily on the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB), but spared its players. The officials, who met place in Hyderabad, unanimously decided to suspend all bilateral tours with the Caribbean board following their team's decision to pull out of the recent tour.

The working committee, which is the most powerful decision-making body of the BCCI, also decided to "initiate legal proceedings against the WICB due to the abrupt cancellation of the tour". BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel also said in a statement that "all bilateral tours between BCCI and WICB stand suspended".

So, as of now, the Indian team's tours of the West Indies in February-March 2016 (three Tests, five ODIs and a T20), May 2019 (five ODIs and a T20), July-August 2019 (three Tests) and the 'return' tour to India in October-November 2018 (two Tests, five ODIs and a T20) stand suspended.

That said, the West Indies players will be allowed to participate in the Indian Premier League. IPL chairman Ranjib Biswal confirmed the same.

The BCCI also finalised the venues for the five-match ODI series against Sri Lanka, who obliged the BCCI right after the West Indies terminated their India tour. While four venues — Kolkata, Cuttack, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad — that were slated to host the West Indies have been compensated with an ODI each, Bangalore has missed out. Instead, Ranchi has been awarded a game.

"No reason was given for allotting the ODI to Ranchi and not Bangalore," said a source. "The five venues for the Sri Lanka series were announced at the meeting and accepted."

Karnataka State Cricket Association secretary Brijesh Patel told dna his association was fine with not getting the Sri Lanka ODI in lieu of the cancelled Test. "We are looking at hosting South Africa for a ODI in October-November next year. Moreover, Bangalore hosted two important finals this year (IPL and CLT20)," he said.

The working committee also appreciated the gesture of Sri Lanka Cricket for having accepted the BCCI's request. "This tour is in lieu of their scheduled tour to India next year which will be reciprocated by India touring Sri Lanka in July-August next year.

Dhoni, Bhuvi rested for three ODIs
Mahendra Singh Dhoni has finally got some well-deserved rest. The India skipper has been given a break for the first three ODIs against Sri Lanka starting on November 2. Virat Kohli will lead the side. The national selectors, on Tuesday, made three changes to the 15-man squad that was named for the second half of the West Indies ODIs. Dhoni will take a break ahead of the hectic season that will culminate with the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand next year. Medium pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has also been rested. But young chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav has been left out without being tried. Replacing them are Wriddhiman Saha, Varun Aaron and R Ashwin, who makes a comeback to the limited-overs side after missing out against the West Indies. It is surprising to see Saha make the cut in place of the highly-rated Sanju Samson. The Keralite was part of the ODI squad in England but was not given a look-in. The selectors also named a 14-member India 'A' squad to play Sri Lanka in a one-day practice match in Mumbai on October 30.

SQUADS
India (first three ODIs against Sri Lanka): V Kohli (C), S Dhawan, A Rahane, S Raina, A Rayudu, W Saha (WK), R Ashwin, R Jadeja, M Shami, U Yadav, I Sharma, A Mishra, M Vijay, V Aaron, A Patel
India 'A' (practice match against Sri Lanka): M Tiwary (C), U Chand, M Vohra, K Nair, R Sharma, K Jadhav, S Samson (WK), P Rasool, K Sharma, S Binny, D Kulkarni, J Bumrah, M Pandey, K Yadav