Cricket will return to India in February when India plays host to England. India are scheduled to play 4 Tests, 5 T20Is and 3 ODIs against England – as it was announced by the BCCI on Thursday. It will be a good chance for both the teams to get used to the conditions in India, especially with the T20 World Cup set to take place in India next year. The fans will be eager to see cricket return to the country after nearly a year.
All members of the India and England Test squads have returned negative Covid-19 tests and have been cleared to exit their bio-secure bubbles to take part in training in the lead up to the first Test, starting in Chennai on February 5, even as the BCCI mulls the possible entry of spectators for the second Test, also scheduled to be held in Chennai. Bhaiji Cricket Betting Tips brings you all the subtle updates and news to you. Keep visiting for more updates and free betting tips.
Here is the full schedule of India vs England 2021:
India vs England 2021, Test series Schedule
1st Test: Chennai | 5th Feb-9th Feb
2nd Test: Chennai | 13th Feb-17th Feb
3rd Test: Ahmedabad | 24th Feb-28th Feb (D/N)
4th Test: Ahmedabad | 4th-8th March
India vs England 2021, T20 series Schedule
1st T20I: Ahmedabad | 12th March
2nd T20I: Ahmedabad | 14th March
3rd T20I: Ahmedabad | 16th March
4th T20I: Ahmedabad | 18th March
5th T20I: Ahmedabad | 20th March
India vs England 2021, ODI series schedule:
1st ODI: Pune | 23rd March
2nd ODI: Pune | 26th March
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is exploring the possibility of allowing crowds for the second Test when India play England at Chepauk in Chennai, and the England team has promised to collaborate in its efforts. The second Test starts on February 13.
India cricket head coach Ravi Shastri on Tuesday addressed Team India as the Virat Kohli-led team came out for their first nets session at Chepauk Stadium in Chennai. The Indian team will square off against England in a four-match Test series, the first of which will be played at Chepauk starting from Friday.
Meanwhile, the Indian cricket team had its first outdoor practice session on Monday, after completing the 6-day mandatory quarantine after reaching Chennai. Captain Virat Kohli and paceman Ishant Sharma joined the rest of the squad which returned victorious from Australia last month. Kohli was on paternity leave while Ishant was recovering from an injury.
This is the first series that is being played in India since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The successful hosting of this series will have a big impact on BCCI’s decision of whether it wants to host the upcoming season of IPL in India or the UAE.
Ahead of the high-octane series, there has been a lot of talk about team selections, favourites, strengths and weaknesses of each side. Cricketing pundits have been sharing their views and result predictions for the India vs England series which is slated to start on February 5 in Chennai.
India squad for England Tests 2021: Virat Kohli (Captain), Ajinkya Rahane (Vice-captain), Rishabh Pant (Wicket-keeper), Rohit Sharma, Mayank Agarwal, Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, KL Rahul, Hardik, Wriddhiman Saha, R Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Washington Sundar, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Md. Siraj, Shardul Thakur.
England squad for India Tests 2021 (first 2 Tests): Joe Root (Captain), Ben Stokes (Vice-captain), Jos Buttler (Wicket-keeper), Jofra Archer, Moeen Ali, Rory Burns, Zak Crawley, James Anderson, Dom Bess, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Ben Foakes, Dan Lawrence, Dom Sibley, Jack Leach.
Former England captain Nasser Hussain has termed India as clear ‘favourites’ to win the upcoming four-match Test series. Hussain said that India are favourites to win the series but predicted a 2-1 scoreline. However, he added that the current England side that is on an ‘upward curve’ can very well surprise many.
Hussain further said that the hosts are a formidable unit but all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja’s injury is a massive blow for them. Pointing out England’s frailty against left-arm spin in Sri Lanka, Hussain reiterated that the absence of Jadeja who plays his IPL cricket in Chennai and knows the ground well, can prove to be decisive. According to the England veteran, without Jadeja, India is a little imbalanced which is an area England could exploit. However, he admitted that overall India is extremely strong in each and every department.