India vs Eng: Chennai to host 2 Tests in first post-COVID int'l home series

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday (December 10) announced the fixtures for India’s home series against England in February-March 2021. This will be the first international series at home after the COVID-19 pandemic. The teams will be involved in four Tests, five T20Is and three ODIs.

The much-awaited marquee series will kick-start with a four-match Test series for Anthony de Mello Trophy, the first of which will be played in Chennai from February 5. Chennai will also host the second Test while the newly built Sardar Patel Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad will host the remaining two Test matches.

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 success of India’s first-ever pink-ball Test that was played in Kolkata last year.

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Ahmedabad is expected to turn pink when it hosts the third Test from February 24 under lights. The iconic Test will be followed by the five-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.

BCCI’s secretary Jay Shah said, “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.”

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He added, “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.”

Tom Harrison, CEO, ECB said, “International cricket between India and England is a highlight of the cricketing calendar and always attracts significant levels of interest from fans around the world. We have been delighted with the planning that has been undertaken by the BCCI to ensure the three venues in Chennai, Ahmedabad and Pune will be ready to host international cricket in a bio-secure environment and look forward to working closely with them over the coming weeks to finalise those plans

“The prospect of becoming the first international side to play at the magnificent Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad adds an extra dimension to the tour and I know will be something that is a highlight for both the players and management,” he added.

The complete fixtures of the tour