BCCI announce dates and venues for England tour India 2021

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), on Thursday, announced that Chennai and Ahmedabad are set to host the four-match Test series between India and England for Anthony de Mello Trophy. Chennai will host the first two Tests from February 5 and February 13, while the newly created Sardar Patel Motera stadium, which has the capacity of 110,000, in Ahmedabad will host the day-night Test from February 24 and the final match of the series from March 4.

England tour of India 2021 includes four Test matches, five T20Is and three ODIs.

"The first Test will start from February 5 and the day-night Test will be played in Ahmedabad at the Motera Stadium from February 24," Jay Shah, the BCCI secretary, said while inaugurating the indoor cricket academy at Motera on Thursday.

The Motera stadium will also play host to the five-match T20I series, which begins on March 12. "5 T20I matches will be played in Ahmedabad's Motera stadium," Shah said. The ODIs will be the final format of the tour and all three games will be played in Pune, starting from March 23. Sources quote that England will land in Chennai January 27, only a day after the conclusion of their Test tour of Sri Lanka.

The idea of choosing just three venues for the entire tour comes on the back of keeping the current pandemic situation in mind. "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 the pandemic and the home season will bring back joy to cricket fans," Shah said.

As part of the ICC Future Tours Programme, England were to tour India in September to play three T20Is and three ODIs before returning in January 2021 for a five-match Test series. The tour, however, was postponed due to the pandemic situation.

"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," said England Cricket Board CEO, Tom Harrison.

"We have been delighted with the planning that has been undertaken by the BCCI to ensure the three venues in Chennai, Ahmadabad 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."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Adrian Dennis