Cricket will return to India in February next year when India hosts England. India is set to play 4 Tests, 5 T20I, and 3 ODI against England, as BCCI announced on Thursday. It will be a good opportunity for both teams to get used to the conditions in India, especially with the T20 World Cup that will be held in India next year. Fans will be excited to see cricket returning to the country after nearly a year.Here is the full schedule of India vs England 2021.India vs England 2021, Test series Schedule1st Test: Chennai | 5th Feb-9th Feb2nd Test: Chennai | 13th Feb-17th Feb3rd Test: Ahmedabad | 24th Feb-28th Feb (D/N)4th Test: Ahmedabad | 4th-8th MarchIndia vs England 2021, T20I series Schedule1st T20I: Ahmedabad | 12th March2nd T20I: Ahmedabad | 14th March3rd T20I: Ahmedabad | 16th March4th T20I: Ahmedabad | 18th March5th T20I: Ahmedabad | 20th MarchIndia vs England 2021, ODI series schedule:1st ODI: Pune | 23rd March2nd ODI: Pune | 26th March3rd ODI: Pune | 28th MarchAlso Read: Jasprit Bumrah become highest paid Indian cricketer in 2020
Ind vs Eng 3rd Test: Test 3 against England at the renovated Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad is expected to have a healthy crowd of spectators. The largest cricket stadium in the world holds 110,000 people, and the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) decided to allow 50% capacity during the third round.This means that there will be 55,000 tickets for sale and it will be the first sporting event to see such a strong crowd since the Covid-19 outbreak last March.The Indian Cricket Board (BCCI) hopes to remove the spectator limit in the coming days. "GCA has decided 50 percent capacity. Not much of a rush yet, but sales are expected to pick up in the next 3-4 days. This will be the first international match at this refurbished stadium. Since the third test is about day and night. A lot of people are expected to come. Currently, GCA expects at least 30,000 viewers on the first day of testing. A source from the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry told TOI on Tuesday, “We can have a job to celebrate the occasion.There is no decision on the pitch yetMotera has two types of courses ready for the next two exams. The playing field is a square of 11 fields, six of which are made of red ground and the rest are regular. Both options will be granted to the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry. There are multiple throws of each type for testing. The Secretary of the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry is overseeing the preparations and a call will be made in the field as soon as the teams arrive in Ahmedabad, "the source said.Also Read: IPL 2021: KINGS XI PUNJAB CHANGES NAME NOW WILL BE KNOWN AS 'PUNJAB KINGS'
In form captain Joe Root edged out players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid and Alastair Cook to become the batsman with the most hundreds in the India vs England Test after scoring the eighth century in the Test against Virat Kohli side during the second match of the series in Leeds on Thursday. Root tops the list of most number of hundred in India vs England Tests with 8 centuries in 41 innings, while Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar and Alastair Cook are the second seven-ton sets in bilateral series between the two countries. Root also became the first player to score hundreds in 3 consecutive tests twice in the same year. Root hit hundred in each of the last two tests in Nottingham and London. Root also became the player to score more than fifty plus as captain during England vs India in England. Root smashed six fifties while playing against India in England, he equalled MS Dhoni's record.Also Read- India vs England: Wounds of 2014 hurt Virat Kohli again Root scored 139-run in 189-ball with Malan (70 of 128) before the southpaw picked up edge while trying to flick Mohamed Siraj ball. Indian pacers, who wrote a memorable script for the Lords victory, bowled too many boundary balls and the English duo were quick to pick them. The pitch appears to have loosened considerably for the batsman after India collapsed to 78 on the first day. Indian bowlers have not been able to send Root back to the pavilion easily in the series and the skipper scored runs whenever he want to. He seems to be in form and reached his 51 fifty of 57 balls with a impressive back foot punch through the covers.Also Read- IPL 2021: Pandya brothers Kunal and Hardik join Mumbai Indian camp in Abu Dhabi
KL Rahul sustained a muscle strain on his left thighKanpur: KL Rahul, India's first player on Tuesday, was disqualified from two rounds of testing against New Zealand due to strain in his left thigh. It was full of hope. The first test is due to start Thursday in Kanpur and Suryakumar is part of the Indian team.KL Rahul has been ruled out of the two-match Test series against New Zealand that begins in Kanpur from Thursday. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday, in a media statement, said that the India opener had sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh. Suryakumar Yadav has been added to the squad as KL Rahul's replacement. Rahul's injury is a massive setback to the Indian team with the likes of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli already missing. Kohli will return to lead the side in the second Test in Mumbai but Rohit has been rested from the entire series."Team India batsman Mr. KL Rahul has sustained a muscle strain on his left thigh and has been ruled out of the upcoming 2-match Paytm Test series against New Zealand. He will now undergo rehabilitation at NCA in preparation for the series against South Africa scheduled next month. The All-India Senior Selection Committee has named Mr. Suryakumar Yadav as KL Rahul's replacement," the BCCI said in a media statement.KL Rahul will now undergo rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Bengaluru in preparation for the upcoming tour of South Africa, scheduled next month.The 29-year-old Rahul has featured in 40 Tests, scoring 2321 runs at an average of 35.16. His highest score was 199 that came against England in Chennai in 2016.For live updates to visit here - PITCHHIGH
New Delhi: Sourav Ganguly decided on Thursday not to add fuel to the fire after Virat Kohli refuted a claim by the head of the British Chamber of Commerce and Industry that he had asked him to remain as the pilot of the T20. "No statement, no press conference. We will take care of this matter and leave it to (Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry)," Ganguly said.Meanwhile, former captain Sunil Gavaskar said he feels Kohli should have made his statement asking him to resign from the T20 captain in a different way and said he was "available" to drive in ODIs and tests. It will stay 'if the selectors want them.Kohli & Co land in SA for three-match Test seriesIndia's cricket team, led by captain Virat Kohli, arrived here on Thursday for the three-match Test series against South Africa starting on December 26 in Centurion. The Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry posted photos of team members, including test specialists Chishwar Pojhara, Chardol Thakur, and Shreyas Iyer on their official Twitter account, "Touchdown South Africa". The test team led by Kohli had left Mumbai for a tour that also included three ODIs in January.Due to the threat posed by the new Covid-19 alternative Omicron, T20 matches from the Tour have been postponed for the time being.No statements or presser; BCCI will deal with it: Ganguly declines to comment on Kohli's bombshell PCCalcutta: A day after India's test leader Virat Kohli publicly denied it, Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief Saurav Ganguly declined to comment on the matter, saying the board would take care of the matter.Kohli, during his pre-departure press conference ahead of the South Africa tour, said he was never asked to remain as captain of the T20 when he announced his intention to resign.This was in contrast to Ganguly's statement a few days ago in which Kohli was asked not to resign."No statement, no press conference. We will take care of this matter and leave it to (Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry)," Ganguly told local media on Thursday.There was talk that the Bahrain Chamber of Commerce and Industry asked Chairman Mukhtar Chetan Sharma to address the media after Kohli's explosive press conference, but the board ultimately declined to comment on that.Kohli's comments on Wednesday highlighted the underlying tension in his relationship with the directors.Kohli had explicitly referenced Ganguly's statement saying, "Whatever was said about the connection, what happened with the decision, it was wrong."He said: 'When I left the T20 captain, I first called the International Chamber of Commerce and informed them of my decision and made my point clear to them.He said, "I gave my reason for wanting to resign from T20 leadership and my approach was very well received. There were no offenses, no hesitation, and not once did I say 'You shouldn't resign the T20 captain.'" "Earlier, Ganguly said in an interview with PTI that he spoke to Kohli and told him that having two captains in key ball coordination is not something the selectors want because "there will be a lot of leadership".previews post - Virat Kohli change his plans and play ODIs in South Africa
CSA said that the decision of the tour South Africa to be played without fans from a Covid-risk perspective.South African cricket said Monday that the India South Africa Series, starting with Test Boxing Day at Centurion on December 26, will be played without spectators due to the COVID-19 situation in the country.South Africa last week reported a record number of daily Covid-19 cases in the fourth wave, which is believed to be the main cause of the Omicron variant.South Africa to be played without fans“Unfortunately, CSA would like to inform the most ardent cricket fans, as well as all sports fans, that due to the increase in COVID cases worldwide and the fourth wave locally, both cricket authorities have decided to announce the launch of A Making a joint decision for the sake of safety and the tour not to offer tickets to India against Proteas Prasad.He added, "This decision was taken to avoid any violations that could jeopardize the Tour from a COVID risk standpoint and also maintain a risk-free environment."The CSA is investigating several alternative public offerings. The series takes place amid a growing threat of COVID-19 cases after the Omicron case surfaced last month. The country has seen a sudden increase in the number of cases in recent weeks. The tour was already in great doubt due to the prevailing situation but the boards of directors of both countries agreed to move forward.On Sunday, the CSA postponed the remaining rounds of the four-day franchise series, the country's main national competition, as a precaution due to COVID-19 concerns.Visitors who arrived here on December 16 are staying at the Irene Lodge, a resort entirely dedicated to them by the CSA to ensure a strict biological bubble is maintained throughout the chain.The third round will be held in Cape Town starting January 11th. This series is part of the new ICC World Trials Championship."...are able to enjoy an environment, while still adhering to high-security measures and fulfilling their duty of care," the council said.The decision was made after much deliberation, Foletsi Moscicki“We are aware of the interest expressed by fans and other stakeholders in being able to return to the stadium and would like to assure all cricket fans that this decision was not made lightly, but in the best interests of the sport for the health and safety of all customers,” said Muteki., acting CEO of CSA, said.Also Read - IPL 2022 Retention: Quick Recap
Tanush Kotian, the offspin-bowling allrounder from Mumbai, has been selected as R Ashwin's replacement in India’s squad for the fourth and fifth Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Kotian is set to depart for Melbourne on Tuesday, following Ashwin’s retirement after the third Test in Brisbane. He is currently part of the Mumbai squad competing in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, based in Ahmedabad.The fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy starts on Thursday, as the series stands level at 1-1. Kotian is expected to serve as a backup for spinners Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja, as Axar Patel is reportedly unavailable for selection.At 26, Kotian has substantial experience, having participated in 33 first-class matches, where he has taken 101 wickets with an average of 25.70. Moreover, he has accumulated 1525 runs in 47 innings with a noteworthy average of 41.21, featuring two centuries and 13 half-centuries. He was part of the India A squad during their tour of Australia preceding the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he featured in one match, scoring 44 runs and taking one wicket.Kotian played a pivotal role in Mumbai’s successful 2023-24 Ranji Trophy campaign, contributing 502 runs at an average of 41.83 and claiming 29 wickets at an average of 16.96. His all-round performance earned him the Player-of-the-Tournament award, making him the only player to achieve the season double of 500 runs and 25 wickets.In the current Ranji Trophy season, which is split into two phases with T20 and List A tournaments in between, Kotian has featured in two of Mumbai’s five matches, as he spent time in Australia. With the ball, he has taken 12 wickets at an average of 16.66, though his batting returns have been modest, managing just 30 runs from three innings. Notably, he showcased his batting prowess earlier in the season during Mumbai’s Irani Cup triumph over Rest of India, scoring 64 and an unbeaten 114 from No. 8, along with three wickets in the match.Alongside Manav Suthar, a 22-year-old left-arm spin-bowling allrounder from Rajasthan, Kotian is regarded as a promising prospect in India’s Test setup. Suthar and Kotian both played one game each during India A’s tour of Australia. Meanwhile, 31-year-old Saurabh Kumar from Uttar Pradesh appears to have fallen down the pecking order.India’s Squad for the Fourth and Fifth TestsRohit Sharma (capt), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep, Prasidh Krishna, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Devdutt Padikkal, Tanush Kotian.Also Read: Ashwin Retires: More Senior Players May Follow Before England Tour
