New Delhi. A big update has come out regarding the three-match T20 International series between India and Afghanistan to be held in September. The schedule of matches between the two teams has already been decided but now the Afghanistan Cricket Board i.e. ACB wants a change in it. ACB has approached the Board of Control for Cricket in India i.e. BCCI and has proposed to hold one match of the series on September 14. The special thing is that Ganesh Chaturthi is on 14th September. At present, talks are going on between the two boards on this proposal and the final decision will be taken only after the approval of BCCI.
According to the current schedule, all three T20 matches between India and Afghanistan are to be played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi. The first match is scheduled on 13 September, the second on 15 September and the third match on 17 September. BCCI has also confirmed this program. Now ACB wants that one of the matches scheduled to be held on 13 or 15 September should be held on 14 September. That means there will be no change in the number of matches but only the date of one match will be changed.
The question is why ACB wants to hold the match only on Monday i.e. 14th September. Actually, Ganesh Chaturthi festival is on 14th September and there is expected to be a partial holiday in Delhi on this occasion. Generally, if a cricket match is held on Monday, there is a possibility of less number of spectators in the stadium as it is a working day. But due to holidays and festive atmosphere due to Ganesh Chaturthi, ACB is hopeful that a large number of spectators can reach the stadium for the match. This is likely to improve spectator attendance and fan engagement of the match.
If BCCI agrees to this proposal, then one match of the series between India and Afghanistan will be played on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. However, this cannot be considered as the final program yet. Until BCCI's approval is received, the official schedule will remain for September 13, 15 and 17.
Another special thing about this series is that despite the match being held in India, it is being considered as Afghanistan's home series. Afghanistan has long held many of its international home matches abroad due to security concerns. This time Delhi has been selected for its home matches. According to Reuters, India has provided its facilities to Afghanistan to host this important series.
This series will also be important for India and Afghanistan in terms of preparations for the Asian Games. Both teams would like to test their preparations in the T20 format before the upcoming big matches. With three consecutive matches being held in Delhi, the players will also get a chance to adapt themselves to the conditions.
Meanwhile, the situation regarding India's tour to Bangladesh also seems to be changing. Earlier in September, the schedule of the Indian team's tour of Bangladesh was revealed, but now after the confirmation of the T20 series against Afghanistan, the chances of that tour are said to be less. In such a situation, the T20 series against Afghanistan in Delhi in September can be one of the important matches for the Indian team.
At present, cricket fans are keeping an eye on BCCI's decision. If the Indian Board approves the ACB proposal, then a T20 match between India and Afghanistan can be seen in Delhi on Ganesh Chaturthi on 14 September. That is, the date of the match has not changed yet but the demand of ACB has definitely brought an interesting twist in the schedule of the series.