Harpal Singh Bedi New Delhi
Sardar Patel Motera Stadium (Ahmedabad),the largest cricket stadium in the world, will host seven matches- Two tests (including a Day and night) and five T20s- in a row, against visiting England in February -March next year.England team’s two-month long tour from January 27 to March 28, will be confined to three centres Chennai, Ahmedabad and Pune where it will play 12 matches- 4 tests, 5 T20s and three ODIs – The first two Tests will be played in Chennai, while Ahmedabad will host the last two Tests and all the five T20 internationals. Pune will host the three ODIs.
The first two Tests will be played in Chennai (February 5-9 and February 13-17), Motera stadium will be the venue for the next two matches, ( the day-night Test from February 24 to 28 and March 4 to 8)
Ahmedabad will also host the five-match T20I series (March 12,14,16,18 and 20), while three ODIs will be played at Pune on March 23,26 and 28.
England will arrive in Chennai on January 27, a day after finishing their Test tour of Sri Lanka,. This will be the first major international series played in the country since the Covid-19 breakout. India’s last home series against South Africa was abandoned due to the pandemic. The refurbished stadium at Motera, was inaugurated in February by outgoing USA president Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, can accommodate 110,000 spectators,
“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,” BCCI said in a press release.
“Motera, the largest cricket stadium in the world, boasts of state of the art facilities and a seating capacity of 110,000. It will host India’s second Day-Night Test match at home after the huge success of India’s first-ever pink-ball Test that was played in Kolkata last year.
“Ahmedabad is expected to turn pink when it hosts the third Test on 24th of February under lights. The iconic Test will be followed by the 5-match T20I series, which will also be held in Ahmedabad.
“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,” the release added.
“The BCCI prioritises health and safety of both teams and will leave no stone unturned to make sure that the tour is held adhering to all safety protocols agreed by the BCCI and ECB medical teams. Both Boards have worked closely to put together an exciting series that promises to provide high octane action between two powerhouses of world cricket.
This will be India’s first bilateral series at home since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic and the home season will bring back joy to cricket fans.”said BCCI secretary Jay Shah