The fifth and final Test between India and England was all set to begin on friday (10th September) at the Old Trafford, Manchester, when Covid-19 struck a bad chord for team India. There were also reports of Rain accompanied by thunderstorms in Manchester, thus becoming a spoilsport on the first day.

 BCCI Vice-President, Rajeev Shukla, in a recent interview stated that talks are ongoing with ECB to reach a cordial conclusion following the cancellation of the 5th test match at the Old Trafford. ‘’There is no question of forfeiting the match, it has only been called-off’’ added Shukla, after having intense discussions with the BCCI President, Secretary, Joint Treasurer along with ECB Chairman, CEO, Team players, Captain and senior players. Earlier BCCI president, Sourav Ganguly was not keen to carry on the 5th test match as coaches Ravi Shastri, Bharat Arun, R Sridhar along with one more support staff tested positive for Covid-19 were forced into quarantine. From England’s side Jos Buttler said in a press conference that, “Everything is fine from our side and we are looking forward to the game’’. Considering the scenario,  ECB after the conversations, BCCI on Friday made a statement that ‘India forfeited the match’ and were ‘unable to field’ which led to cancellation of the test. The BCCI now has offered ECB to reschedule the game.

With talks ongoing and India eyeing a victory, let us hope whether the board committees find a scope to reschedule the match!