The Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) and England Cricket Board
(ECB) have issued a statement, stating that no communication between the two cricketing bodies
has taken place regarding rescheduling of the upcoming India vs England Test
series, reported news agency ANI.

In recent weeks, there were speculations surrounding a possible rejigging
of the Test schedule in order to accommodate the remaining half of the COVID-19 ridden
Indian Premier League season, which was stopped in its tracks earlier this year
due to a series of infections in various teams.

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As per the report, an ECB spokesperson has confirmed that there have been
talks on various issues, but none on a change of dates in the Test series.

“We talk to the BCCI on a regular basis about a wide range of
issues especially as we address the challenges of Covid-19, but have had no
official request to change dates and are continuing to plan for the five Test
series as is scheduled,” ANI quoted the spokesperson as saying.

“I am a little surprised to be honest. While it is okay to have
talks on certain matters, but one needs to be respectful of the time and
situation. You cannot send a request for a reschedule at almost the 11th hour.

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While it is true that the IPL is an important part of Indian cricket
and we will wish that the remaining games can be played out this season, we
also have immense respect for the ECB and our international commitments,” ANI
quoted a BCCI official, on the other hand, as saying.

The Indian team is currently spending its quarantine period in Mumbai,
as they get ready for their trip to UK, which will start with the World Test
Championship finals against New Zealand on June 18, followed by the Test series
against England starting on August 4.