ECB - No Test delay

BCCI had requested series opener be put back by one day

Last updated: 18th November 2008

ECB - No Test delay

Dhoni: man in demand

Whatever happens, Dhoni will definitely play in the first Test, starting as scheduled on December 11.

Lalit Modi
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The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) have confirmed the first Test of England's tour of India will not be put back to accommodate Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Earlier on Tueday it was reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had made a request to their English counterparts that the start of the Ahmedabad fixture be delayed by 24 hours until December 12.

That would have allowed India's captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni an extra day of preparation. The wicketkeeper is due to play for the Chennai Super Kings in the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 competition with the final - should the Super Kings get that far - scheduled for December 10 in Chennai.

With the first Test against England starting on December 11, Dhoni faced a potential overnight cross-country trip of more than 1,800 kilometres to play in both matches.

Lalit Modi, chairman of the Champions League and vice president of the BCCI, said Dhoni's first priority is Test cricket.

"We don't even know if Chennai will be in the final, because the Champions League is yet to start," Modi told BBC Sport.

"But whatever happens, Dhoni will definitely play in the first Test, starting as scheduled on December 11."

Comments (18)

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Ryan Bachoo says...

Let's never forget that a coin has two sides. In the context of this situation, you may feel i'm coming about giving and taking to the Board of Controls for Cricket in India (BCCI), but also never forget when you flip a coin, it falls only on one side. The English Cricket Board was faced with a tricky decision whether to prolong the sheduled first Test match which should begin officially on December 11th to a day longer to accomodate captain and wicket-keeper, Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Is it more possible for men in the highest of places to get any more ridiculous? Lalit Modi, pinpointing him in particluar. Don't sought this as a personal attack on hm but he has made himself known as selfish, ignorant and most importantly foolish man, over the course of the Indian Premier League and Cricket League controversy and now soughting to make things easier for India captain and wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Personal attack or no personal attack, he's tryin and been trying to abuse his power and the system since he's been in power and on no occassion has the outcome he has sought for been in favor for any other team or players ouside India. Flat and Frank, if you're upset, look at the statistics yourself. There is no way any other team playing PROFESSIONAL world cricket will ask for such a maladroit favor. It doesn't fit into the view of things, is it because it's India playing in India, and because India is basically "dominating" world cricket, or is it just because India has a strong hold on the governing of the game? So, Lalit Modi feels he can bend or break the rules? Whichever way it goes, let's remember the old saying Lalit, "No player is bigger than the game," not even if you're a quality player such as Mahendra Singh Dhoni. Get the facts right, cricket has been made a charade with the sanctioning of the Indian Premier League but while the BCCI lead the dance, we're not going to stop now for your convenience.

Posted 19:01 19th November 2008

Abhishek Agarwal says...

you people are saying why is the ecb even considering BCCI's request!!! it is the biggest cricket league in the who can actually buy 3-4 boards of the stature of ecb... the english players themseleves are desperate to play in BCCI's IPL and are even ready to oppose ecb who may stop them from playing there. no board in the world can afford to mess with BCCI, not even the ICC.. if BCCI wants to change the match dates to accomadate their captian in the team they can do it coz they have the power to do.. yet they asked for permission from the ecb.... you'll should be grateful to the BCCI who are showing some respect towards you'll!!! and baljit mandair you are right!!! they know dhoni is gonna beat the hell out of these english bowlers and that is the reason they are scared to giv him time to get in the team!!! n even if he doesnt get into the team, big deal... we have the greatest batting line-up in the world to slaughter england's amateur bowling attack

Posted 09:49 19th November 2008

John Le roux says...

Well done, ECB !! Just shows how arrogant the BCCI have become. They probably thought they could bully the ECB. They got away with a few things (Harbajan's suspension) with the ICC and probably thought dealing with the ECB would be a doddle. Good on yer ECB. You have shown up the ICC with your gutsy decision. Cheers. John

Posted 06:06 19th November 2008

John Taylor says...

Oh my word, there is arrogance, super arrgaonce and then there is the BCCi! The BCCI should hang it's head in shame. Is it just me or does the BCCI, and Indian cricket in general, think they can do what they like when they like? asking for the date of a test match to be changed to accommodate the golden boy of indian cricket is not only disrespectful to the ECB and the many thousands of English cricket fans attending the game, but also to the traditons of test cricket. Maybe they should ask the ECB if they can shorten the test to 4 days, if that would suit the BCCI better? Someone needs to tell the BCCI to 'wind their neck in'. If they are not trying to change test match dates they are protesting at the punishment the ICC gives their cricket players, under the dillusional inference that their players are being targeted unfairly! Let us not forget that the punishment being dished out to Indian players has been for racist abuse and physical assault. when will Inidians ever accept punishment like men? never, becasue that is the indian way unfortunately. Forget India, for a country who believes they love the sport more than any other, they don't half treat it badly.

Posted 22:44 18th November 2008

Peg Coverdale says...

and i thought cricket was a TEAM game.. if the captain of the indian team chooses to be elsewhere at the start of the game, then why has he been picked for the team .. in theory he has made himself unavailable.. the mind boggles!!

Posted 20:07 18th November 2008

Mark Hargreaves says...

india start up a mickey mouse t20 league then win a series against the aussies and think they can control world cricket what a joke

Posted 16:09 18th November 2008

Darsh Rawal says...

My dear boy Pete Jessup, I don't know which century does your mindset belong to, but this is 21st century, whereby we all live a fast-paced lifestyle. No one has time or interest to "tie themselves down" for 5 whole days of excruciatingly painful Test Match. What India's brought is not just innovative approach to cricket but has spiced up the whole game with thrill, excitement and have offered a platform whereby young talent can enhance their skills and be recognised on an international stage. India's success couldn't just be dismissed as "pop and crisps" that you quite naively suggest. Unlike you, a nobody, millions around the world STILL remember the success of IPL and are ditching their own nation to make their way to India. Millions continue to wait with awaiting anticipation for the start of new IPL season in April 2008. Problem is ECB can't afford the risk of displeasing IPL officials or else, they would face the wrath from their own players, if it cost them their much-desired opportunity to play in IPL.

Posted 15:27 18th November 2008

Jatin Lodhia says...

flipin heck! Im an indian who actually supports england because i have lived here all my life (india are my 2nd team, lol). Dhoni has to make a simple choice, do I (Dhoni) the captain of my national side play against the English in my own country or do i play for club and money?? I know what i would say and the ecb have already told england players as well; regarding the start of the IPL last year conflicting with county and their test series against the Windies (i think)

Posted 15:24 18th November 2008

Sherub Sohail says...

i cant believe i am seeing such a request.... chnge a the schedual fer one plyer ???? no plyer is bigger thn the game ... pcb dint chnge its rules fer mohmmad yousaf ... ths is pathetic ... the ecb should say no ... there isnt a case .. the bcci thinks they can influence icc and the other whch should be stopped

Posted 15:21 18th November 2008

Umer Arif says...

with all due respect to india...i think this should not be allowed and dhoni himself should get his priorities settled individually.I know he is an influential captain and india will miss him but these kind of things should be left to the individual players and not to their respectective cricket boards.I wont be dissapointed in both cases though cuz i wuld luv to see a gud full strength champions league final

Posted 13:45 18th November 2008

Santhosh Anburajan says...

There is no better medicine for a player than a Victory! Dhoni will be as good, if he wins the CL T20 and will b ready 2 roar the next morning. Dnt worry guys. 7-0 & 2-0 , WHITEWASH is the mantra, better know it!

Posted 13:38 18th November 2008

Pete Jessup says...

Well it's a very sad state of affairs if we start messing around with the dates of a test match so ONE person can play a game of pop and crisps cricket that no one will remember or care about 24 hours after the result.

Posted 12:32 18th November 2008

Jonny Mardling says...

I think Baljit Mandair may be missing the point - and just like the Indian Board fails to see the bigger picture.........

Posted 12:28 18th November 2008

Jonny Mardling says...

I can't even believe the ECB are entertaining this for a moment. But then again they did get into bed with Stanford, so who am I kidding? Delay the start of a Test, with all the knock-on implications purely for one player? What next? Maybe they should just cancel the 2nd Test so he can go Christmas shopping?

Posted 12:06 18th November 2008

Ankit Bhargava says...

I feel that ECB should say no to the BCCI offer. Champions League as big as it is but it is not bigger than playing for your country. If ECB says yes then it would mean that International Cricket is being compromised and this is not how it is meant to be. I feel the ICC should look into the matter and should stop this. These are really dangerous signs for International cricket and ICC. DO SOMETHING

Posted 11:41 18th November 2008

Baljit Mandair says...

Just reading the comment from the previous person it will not matter if the ecb don't delay the start because MS Dhoni will get back and will give the england bowlers a thrashing! India will win 7-0 in the one dayers and 2-0 in the Tests! Goodbye England from India!

Posted 11:40 18th November 2008

Dan Smith says...

I'll be really disappointed if England give in to this request. First of all, if players want to make these (extremely lucrative) committments to Twenty20 cricket, then they have to accept that this might affect their participation in other forms of the game. You can't change the schedules of 21 other players, thousands of fans planning to attend the match, TV companies, and millions of fans watching at home just because one player wants to compete in another game. It's up to Dhoni to decide which match is more important to him. Secondly, fixtures are organised months in advance, so surely someone could have seen this coming a long time ago and done something about it then, rather than trying to find a last-minute solution. Don't cave in, ECB!

Posted 11:26 18th November 2008

John Le roux says...

I feel that the ECB should not give in to India. They knew about the Champions League fixtures. So stiff cheddar! Should the ECB acquiesce then they would be seen as weak-kneed and gutless. Postpone a Test match for ONE player ? Surely not. If allowed it would backfire on the tourists as there would be a very short break between the 1st and 2nd Tests (2 days). Don't tell me that there is no other 'keeper or player capable of captaining the Indian team. Why inconvenience the tourists because of ONE player. Get real India ! Say NO ECB !!

Posted 10:13 18th November 2008
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