Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases in the Indian camp, the 5th test match between England and India has been canceled. After the visitors won at both Lords and the Oval, the test series was 2-1 in India’s favour.
India was staring at a historic test series win in England with just one test match to play. However, India’s assistant physiotherapist tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday, which caused a series of events.
There was no way the 5th test could have been pushed a few days ahead as the IPL starts on September 19, and right after that, the T20I World Cup begins with literally no time to breathe between the two.
The ECB wanted India to forfeit the 5th test match. However, the BCCI strongly opposed this idea and told the English side that they would play under any circumstance. The BCCI would only agree to cancel the last test provided that the series ended 2-1. India players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma were also informed about the same.
“Following ongoing conversations with the BCCI, the ECB can confirm that the fifth Test between England and India Men due to start today at Emirates Old Trafford will be canceled,”
the ECB read.
The report also stated that the match had been called off because India couldn’t field a team. They also apologized to the fans and partners and mentioned that further news about the postponement would be shared in due course.
When the statement was released, there was a lot of confusion surrounding the news. At first, the report said that India had forfeited the match, but that was altered later on.
