I can see why the reactions from BCCI...seems like some unease.
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As Assam witnessed protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act for the last couple of weeks, there were speculations that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could consider shifting out the first T20I between India and Sri Lanka from Guwahati.
But it has decided to go ahead with the T20I on January 5, ‘as per schedule’, and the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) is confident of hosting the fixture without any problems.
“Things are normal now. Like any other international matches, we will need to take necessary security measures, we will do that. (From our end), we are ready for the match,” ACA secretary Debojit Saikia told Sportstar
The BCCI had written to the ACA inquiring whether the Barsapara Stadium has facilities for training under lights. “We have informed the board that we have all the facilities available. The arrangement has been going on smoothly and there is no problem at all,” Saikia added.
Due to the protests, the Ranji Trophy fixture between Assam and Services was cancelled a few days ago, and the players remained in their hotels. Even an U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match between Assam and Odisha in Nagaon was also called off.
“We were monitoring the situation and as of now, things look very positive. The match will go on as per schedule,” one of the BCCI functionaries, aware of the development, said, adding that the online ticket sales for the fixture will begin from Wednesday morning via Bookmyshow.
Once a dumping yard, the Barsapara Stadium hosted it's first T20I in 2017 when India played Australia. Last year, it hosted the first ODI between India and West Indies. Earlier this year, the Indian women’s side played a T20I against England at the venue.
The teams are likely to reach Guwahati two days before the fixture, but the association is yet to receive the final itinerary from the BCCI.
With not much time left for the three-match series to begin, it is believed that the final itinerary could be sent to all the three host associations after the BCCI Apex Council members meet in Mumbai on Thursday.
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ri-lanka-t20-cricket-news/article30390299.ece
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The BCCI and Assam Cricket Association (ACA) will be “closely monitoring” the security situation in Guwahati in the wake of protests against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, keeping in mind the January 5 T20 International between India and Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka will tour India for a three-match T20 International series, starting at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.
“Right now, we cannot comment on whether T20 International in Guwahati will happen or not. All the authorities (state Police, Home Ministry) will be monitoring the situation. We have to wait for some time. There are still three weeks to go so we have to be hopeful,” said Assam CA vice-president Parikshit Dutta.
Due to protests in Guwahati, the fourth day’s play in the Ranji Trophy match between Assam and Services was cancelled, and the players remained in their hotels.
Biding time
A U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy match between Assam and Odisha in Nagaun also had to be called off and the visiting team was forced to stay in a hotel on the highway to avoid conflict areas.
The Jharkhand team that completed its Ranji assignment against Tripura in Agartala is currently in Kolkata, waiting for BCCI’s approval for its next away encounter against Assam, starting December 17.
The BCCI officials are, however, hopeful of normalcy prevailing in Guwahati within the next three weeks.
“At this point, it will be premature to comment that India versus Sri Lanka game will be shifted. Yes, we are all monitoring the security situation and close to the date, we will take a call. For the time being, BCCI will ‘wait and watch’,” a senior BCCI functionary said.
Asked if the board will be ready with an alternate venue if Guwahati is unable to host the match, the official said: “Right now, we haven’t zeroed in on any alternate venues but we always keep back-up options ready in case of unforeseen circumstances. For now, let’s hope that normalcy returns and we can have the match as per schedule.”
https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cric...ndment-bill-protests-bcci/article30306118.ece