The schedule of the three-match T20I series to be played next month between Afghanistan and India may be changed as the Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB) and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) are discussing about moving the matches by a few days.
The final decision on the revised date has yet to be made, but it has been reported that the ACB has suggested playing the matches on September 11, 13 and 14 instead of the initially scheduled dates of September 13, 15 and 17. All the matches are likely to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi.
Afghanistan Seeks Schedule Change Ahead of India Series
The proposed change would see the finale on September 14, a Ganesh Chaturthi holiday. Previously, there was an option to host one of the T20Is during the festival, as the Afghanistan board had evaluated the potential for increased TV viewership and turnout in general.
The ACB, having taken into account stakeholder requests, as well as India's holiday calendar in relation to the initially proposed dates, is said to have engaged the BCCI in dialogue. Playing on the Ganesh Chaturthi holiday would be an opportunity to attract more fans to the sport, especially if the festival sees heightened turnout at venues and on telecasts.
For now, the request is still pending, as it awaits BCCI's formal approval. Both boards will have to agree on the alterations before any revised schedule can be released.
The first two T20Is, on September 13, 15 and 17 respectively, are the current fixtures for the three-match series.
The series will nevertheless be a significant chapter in Afghanistan's cricket relations with India, as it will feature the first-ever bilateral home series for the visiting team, though all matches will take place in New Delhi.
New Delhi Set to Host Entire T20I Series
Afghanistan, which has used India as a staging post for several of its international fixtures, will look to host a full bilateral home series. This marks a step forward in the emerging relationship between the two cricket boards.
With all matches due to be held at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, any changes to the itinerary will have implications for transportation, ticket sales, broadcasting and crowd turnout.
If the request is approved, the condensed schedule would see the three-match series squeezed in over four days, with the matches due to be held on September 11, 13 and 14.
The potential to utilize the Ganesh Chaturthi festival as an opportunity to boost TV ratings and gate receipts is also an enticing prospect, as it ranks as one of India's most important holidays and therefore offers a unique opportunity to engage fans. Viewership levels and crowd turnout are expected to factor into the decision-making process for the proposed rescheduling.
Until such time as the BCCI and ACB can come to terms with the proposed adjustments, the itinerary remains as first scheduled.
The coming days will show whether the Afghanistan-India series will see a revised set of fixtures, and whether September 14 will herald in a new era in the bilateral encounters between the two sides.
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