In a reversal to the original schedule, the Indian cricket team will now start the series against Sri Lanka with T20Is and then play the Test matches, after a request from the visiting side.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The Sri Lankan Cricket (SLC) had earlier requested BCCI to shift the T20I series before the Test matches to allow a smoother bubble-to-bubble transfer of their T20I squad, who will have just concluded a series in Australia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The dates for the series are still being tweaked, but the BCCI appears to have agreed to Sri Lanka Cricket's request, an ESPNcricinfo report said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
This change in the dates also means that Virat Kohli will not play his 100th Test in Bengaluru, a prospect that was on the cards after he finished the South Africa tour with 99 Tests.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The first Test will now be played in Mohali, with the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has now upgraded its flood lights, set to host the tour-ending pink-ball Test.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
On the other hand, Dharamsala is likely to open the tour with the first two T20Is before the teams move to Mohali for the final game.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It has been learnt that the board is reluctant to schedule the day-night Test in Mohali owing to fog and heavy dew in northern India in winters. Another reason for the change as per a Karnataka State Cricket Association official is Bengaluru offers direct connectivity to Colombo, which would then allow Sri Lanka to fly home without a stopover.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Reluctant for long to host pink-ball Tests, the BCCI has organised only two pink ball Test matches in India till now.<\/p>\r\n\r\n