India-England Test series to start on February 7, Ahmedabad to host day-night Test

Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, has confirmed that India’s home series against England will be held in the country. There were some recent reports suggesting that the series might be shifted to UAE due to the coronavirus pandemic. However, Shah has confirmed that the much-anticipated series will take place in India only.

The series against England will mark the return of international cricket to the country. India have not played a series at home since the limited-overs series against Australia in January this year. Following that, Virat Kohli & Co. had travelled to New Zealand before the COVID-19 outbreak put a halt to cricket action around the world.

The IPL had to be postponed too and was later shifted to the UAE. The thirteenth edition of IPL was held in the gulf country from September 19 to November 10. Following that, India flew to Australia for a full-fledged tour. The limited-overs leg of the series is already finished and the teams are currently preparing for the four-match Test series, starting on December 17. Australia won the ODI series before the Men in Blue bounced back to clinch the T20Is. The series against Australia also marked India’s return to international cricket.

The dates for the India-England series:

While confirming the venue for the series, Jay Shah also confirmed that the Test series will start on February 7 while the day-night Test will take place in Ahmedabad from February 24-28. The match will take place in the newly-reconstructed Motera Stadium. Shah further confirmed that the entire T20I series will be played at the Motera too.

“The first Test will start from February 7 and the day-night Test will be played in Ahmedabad at the Motera Stadium from February 24,” Shah said while inaugurating Gujarat Cricket Association’s indoor academy for young cricketers.

“5 T20I matches will be played in Ahmedabad’s Motera stadium,” he added.

India will host England for five Tests, three ODIs and five T2oIs. This will be England’s first visit to India since 2016 and the first bilateral series between the two nations since 2018. The Test series will be also their last assignment in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship.

Here’s the full schedule