BCCI secretary Jay Shah confirmed that newly reconstructed Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium will host the only Day-Night Test match between India and England in 2021, starting from February 24. It will be the second Day-Night Test in India. The first D/N Test was played in Eden Gardens against Bangladesh in 2019. The four-match Test series will commence from February 7. The series is part of the World Test Championship 2019-21.
Apart from the Test, Motera stadium will also host 5 T20Is. Pune will host three ODIs, part of the CWC Super League. The decision to host the series at one venue was taken due to the current COVID-19 conditions in India. The cases are rising in the country so BCCI would avoid travel during the T20I series.
England’s visit will mark the return of international cricket in India for the first time since January 2020, when Australia toured India for a three-match ODI series. In March, South Africa toured India but COVID-19 affected the series. Even BCCI hosted Indian T20 League in UAE this year. England were the first country to host international series after the pandemic outbreak.
"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. 5 T20I matches will be played in Ahmedabad's Motera stadium," Jay Shah stated while inaugurating Gujarat Cricket Association's indoor academy.
Here’s the schedule of the India-England series :
Tests:
1st Test – Feb 5 – 9, Chennai
2nd Test – Feb 13 – 17, Chennai
3rd Test – Feb 24 – 28, Ahmedabad (D/N)
4th Test – Mar 4 – 8, Ahmedabad
T20Is: (Venue: Motera Stadium, Ahmedabad)
1st T20I – March 12
2nd T20I – March 14
3rd T20I – March 16
4th T20I – March 18
5th T20I – March 20
ODIs:(Venue: Pune)
1st ODI – March 23
2nd ODI – March 26
3rd ODI – March 28
