Overbooked hotels force change in India's tour itinerary

A shortage of hotel rooms in Colombo because of an international political summit has forced a change in the itinerary for India's tour to Sri Lanka in July-August.

India will now play the first Test, which starts in July 23, at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo, while the second will be played in Galle from July 31. In the original schedule, Galle was to host the first Test, with the second at the SSC.

The change takes place as Colombo is scheduled to host South Asian leaders during the annual SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) summit. "All hotels in Colombo are booked from July 27 to August 4 because of the meetings and we can't find accommodation for the teams," Sri Lanka Cricket secretary K Mathivanan said.

The third Test, from August 8-12, will also be played in Colombo, at the R Premadasa Stadium.

Revised schedule of India's tour:
July 18-20 : Three-day warm-up match, Colombo
July 23-27 : 1st Test, Sinhalese Sports Club, Colombo
July 31-Aug 4: 2nd Test, Galle
Aug 8-12 : 3rd Test, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Aug 15 : One-day warm-up match, Colombo
Aug 18 : 1st ODI, Dambulla
Aug 20 : 2nd ODI, Dambulla
Aug 24 : 3rd ODI, R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo
Aug 26 : 4th ODI, R Premadasa stadium, Colombo
Aug 29 : 5th ODI, R Premadasa stadium, Colombo.