IND vs WI: Mumbai, Hyderabad exchange dates of T20Is

Mumbai and Hyderabad will swap the dates of the respective T20Is which they will host during India’s three-match series against West Indies. Mumbai was set to host the opening T20I on 6th December, with Hyderabad getting the third T20I on 11th. But the fixtures at the respective venues have now been swapped due to security issues in Mumbai.

The Mumbai Police will be unable to provide adequate security on the 6th due to the date being the “Mahaparinirvan Din” of BR Ambedkar. The anniversary of the demolition of Babri Masjid also falls on the same day. Thus, the police will already be on high-alert and providing adequate security for the match would have been a massive challenge.

Also read: IND vs BAN: 2nd Test – Indian juggernaut sails through sea of records

The news of the fixture swap was confirmed by Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) secretary R Vijayanand. Speaking to Times of India, he said:

“The BCCI has informed us that the December 6 T20I will now be played in Hyderabad. The final match will be played in Mumbai.”

Sources confirmed to TOI that swapping the fixtures won’t be much of a hassle for the respective cricket associations. But the authorities will have to be swift in order to organize the affairs without things going awry:

“It will not be much of a hassle but the officials will now have to sit down and rework the whole thing. Time is of a premium and therefore there cannot be any laxity on the part of the officials.”

West Indies will be touring India for a three-match T20I series between 6th to 11th December. It will be followed by a three-match T20I series played between 15th to 22nd December.