IND v NZ series fixtures tweeted by India players

In what is perceived to be a first, the India players have tweeted the venues for the IND v NZ series scheduled to take place in October. Apart from the fact that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) also went on to tweet the same for press purposes, the players, joined by their new coach Anil Kumble tweeted the venues the Indians would be playing in.

New Zealand will tour India in the end of September and all through October to play a full-fledged three-match Test series followed by a five-match ODI series. The tour will kick off with the opening Test in Indore, which will be the first for the venue in Kanpur, Madhya Pradesh. The tour is set to begin on the 22nd of September.

Here's the full schedule for #IndvNZ – https://t.co/C0feAAKeiT … #TeamIndia #IndiaCricket – @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/AuiMtocF5e

— BCCI (@BCCI) June 28, 2016

Interestingly, soon after the BCCI revealed the itinerary, it sent out a mail embedded with tweets from Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammed Shami, Shikhar Dhawan, Ravichandran Ashwin and also the newly-appointed coach Anil Kumble.

While many claim this to be a social media marketing gimmick, several others also have stated that this is to drive people to market Test cricket. With the Indian team scheduled to play 13 of its next 17 Tests at home, it is clear that the BCCI aims to bring more people to the stadiums to watch Virat Kohli and his men take on New Zealand and England later this year. Further reports also go on to suggest that if you are a player or a big personality affiliated with the BCCI, it is a part of your contract to be a part of these strategies.

Also, check out – No day-night Test matches in New Zealand tour of India

Here are the tweets:

#TeamIndia will begin the home season at one of the oldest venues in the country – KANPUR vs. @BLACKCAPS #IndvNZ 1st Test starts Sept 22

— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 28, 2016

Vizag is all set to host the final ODI of the series against Kiwis #IndvNZ on Oct 29. Turn up at the stadium and support #TeamIndia @BCCI

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) June 28, 2016

Support #TeamIndia as Cricket will reach Ranchi on Oct 26. We take on @BLACKCAPS in the 4th ODI at JSCA Stadium #IndvNZ

— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) June 28, 2016

The carnival of cricket will reach the national capital on Oct 19. Delhiwallo chalo Kotla to support #TeamIndia. #IndvNZ 2nd ODI on Oct 19

— Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) June 28, 2016

History, Passion and Glory – Eden Gardens. It can’t get better than this. Let us fill the Eden for #IndvNZ 3rd Test. Starts Oct 8 #TeamIndia

— Mohammed Shami (@MdShami11) June 28, 2016

The land of great Syed Mushtaq Ali will host its 1st ever Test Match. Indore is waiting 4 the moment. #IndvNZ 2nd Test Match starts Sept 30

— ajinkyarahane88 (@ajinkyarahane88) June 28, 2016

Jee Aiyaan Nu. It is bhangra time in Mohali. #TeamIndia will take on Kiwis in the third ODI at PCA Mohali on Oct 23 #IndvNZ

— Mandeep Singh (@mandeeps12) June 28, 2016