captaincolly wrote:According to Mike Atherton the BCCI were trying to get this test rescheduled before the tour began because of the short gap between the match and the resumption of the IPL.
This is a devious remark. Yes, the BCCI did ask the ECB to reschedule the test series to end earlier, but do remember that India had to come to England in early June to fulfil their game vs NZ, and did not play another game till 4th August. They were left with a massive gap between games facing a choice of either staying in the UK or basically spending 6 weeks in 7 or 8 being in various quarantines while moving country. These players have been on tour for a long time, under restrictions of movement and what they can do, and some like Pant also tested positive on the tour and have been in total isolation to boot. Asking to shorten the players time in the UK was a pretty reasonable thing to do when England had a gap in the schedule to do it.
They didnt accept because the ECB wanted England players to take part in the launch of the 100. So not sure Athers has much to stand on blaming Indian domestic T20s for the chaos.... England prioritized their own over anything else.
Also worth noting that when India made the request, the IPL was not scheduled nor had it been confirmed, the world cup was not confirmed, the CPL waiting for the IPL and World cup dates was not confirmed, India had a series in South Africa yet to be confirmed for October, and all of these parts affected the other and could not clash. So how exactly could India's wish to join up with IPL be linked to something that happened a month or two before the IPL dates and venue were even known?
In the end India have cancelled the Saffer tour, the BCCI and CPL/WICB came to an agreement where the CPL was moved forward with changes to WI match schedules to accommodate, so IPL and CPL would not clash. The CPL is taking place now, so actually the idea India wanted to bugger off early for IPL was never possible. The IPL was slotted in with the WC, who's full schedule was only released literally a couple of weeks ago. England themselves changed the date of their tour to Pakistan slightly a few days to rejig it around the rescheduled other things.
Even if, at the very least, the Indians have refused to elongate a tour on the basis their IPL contracts are in trouble - well put yourself in their shoes.
They spent last winter under strict lockdown in Australia, with venue changes and complaints they were living in prison like conditions in empty hotels. They played England at home under strict covid conditions, then went to UAE under strict lockdowns, before a massive tour of England and IPL/WC for dessert.
If someone asked me to stick around an extra day or two Id also have told them to do one.