India-England white-ball tour rescheduled for 2021 as IPL takes precedence

The limited-overs matches will take place early next year, possibly in the middle of the back-to-back Test series between the two nations

• IPL scheduled for September 19 start

India and England have agreed to postpone their limited-overs series scheduled for September and October until 2021.

Three one-day internationals and a trio of T20Is had been pencilled in as a warm-up for the 20-over World Cup in Australia.

But with the tournament having been called off due to the ongoing global COVID-19 crisis, the matches will not be played until the new year.

Both teams are set to face-off in five Tests between January and March in India, and then across July and September in England during 2021.

Fixtures for neither series have been confirmed and both cricket boards will remain in contact regarding fitting in the white-ball matches.

ECB chief executive Tom Harrison said: "Now that we have clarity regarding the postponement of ICC men’s T20 World Cup, it enables us to work with other boards to progress the vital task of optimising the international schedules in the challenging circumstances that we have all been having to address with the COVID-19 pandemic.

"International cricket between India and England is a highlight of the cricketing calendar and we look forward to working with the BCCI to firm-up the schedules for these eagerly anticipated tours as soon as possible."

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BCCI honorary secretary Jay Shah added: "The BCCI and ECB are working closely to finalise the schedule as we move towards the resumption of cricket. 

"I am pleased with the way BCCI and ECB have managed the situation. The rescheduled tour is also being redesigned in a way to accommodate both red and white-ball format and will now be a comprehensive one."

Confirmation that the tour will be delayed comes less than a week after the dates for the reschedule Indian Premier League in the United Arab Emirates were announced.

The 13th edition of the competition will start on September 19 and run until the final on November 10.

Since the coronavirus pandemic began, international cricket has only been played in bio-secure venues in England.

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