Four Tests will be played instead of regulation five to accommodate the limited-overs series that had to be postponed earlier this year due to Covid. (FILE)The renovated Sardar Patel stadium at Motera in Ahmedabad will host two Tests and five T20 internationals during England’s tour of India early next year, BCCI secretary Jay Shah said on Thursday. One of the Tests will be a day-night affair, starting February 24.
“Two Tests and five T20 internationals between India and England will be played in Ahmedabad. The third and fourth Tests will be played in Ahmedabad. The third Test will be a pink-ball, day-night Test, while the fourth Test will be a day game. The day-night Test will be played from February 24,” Shah told reporters at the inauguration of the Gujarat Cricket Association’s indoor cricket academy in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
In a press release, the BCCI and ECB later on Thursday announced the fixtures for Team India’s home series against England.
“The much-awaited marquee series will kickstart with a 4-match Test series for Anthony de Mello Trophy, the first of which will be played in Chennai from the 5th of February. Chennai will also host the second Test while the newly built Sardar Patel Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the remaining two Test matches,” it said.
NEWS 🚨 : BCCI, ECB announce itinerary for England’s tour of India 2020-21.
More details here – https://t.co/LRckHxHpHx #INDvENG #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/MdhRnmfx0s
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 10, 2020
“The last leg of the tour will feature ODIs and all three matches will be held in Pune. The BCCI has restricted the tour to just three venues keeping in mind the current pandemic situation prevailing in the country,” it added.
Parthiv Patel was also present with BCCI secretary Jay Shah on Wednesday. (Express photo by Nirmal Harindran)
Former India ‘keeper-batsman Parthiv Patel, who announced his retirement on Wednesday, was felicitated on the occasion.
The new Motera stadium is said to be the world’s largest cricket stadium with a seating capacity of 110,000, built at a cost of Rs 700 crore. It was set for a gala opening through an exhibition match between Asia XI and World XI in March this year, but the pandemic forced a cancellation.
Full Schedule
1st Test — 5-9 Feb
2nd Test — 13-17 Feb
3rd Test — 24-28 Feb
4th Test — 4-8 Mar
1st T20I — 12 Mar
2nd T20I — 14 Mar
3rd T20I — 16 Mar
4th T20I — 18 Mar
5th T20I — 20 Mar
1st ODI — 23 Mar
2nd ODI — 26 Mar
4rd ODI — 28 Mar