IND vs ENG: Sourav Ganguly confirms England’s 2021 itinerary in India

India are scheduled to host England in 2021 for a long tour which will consist of matches in all three formats of the game. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly on Tuesday revealed that the two teams will engage in a 5-match T20I series. He further confirmed that it will be a full-fledged tour consisting of four Tests, three ODIs and five T20Is.

While Ganguly announced the number of matches taking place, the detailed itinerary including venues and dates shall be declared later. With the coronavirus still causing concerns in parts of India, the tour in 2021 will be played under restrictions.

“England is touring India for four Test matches, three ODIs, and five T20Is, it is easy to have bilaterals as there are just two teams, we have to keep assessing the situation, a lot of people are talking about the second COVID wave, we have to be careful,” said Ganguly during a virtual presser.

The main aim of hosting a five-match T20I series against England will be to serve as a preparation for the Indian team for the upcoming T20 World Cup which is set to be played in India in October-November. Ganguly made his ambitions public of hosting the next Indian Premier League season in the country itself. The 2020 IPL season was played in the UAE.

“We are trying to have the next IPL in India, it’s a tournament for India, I always tell people that they need to be here to see what IPL means to India,” said Ganguly.

The Indian team is currently in Australia. They will be playing three ODIs, three T20Is, and four Tests. The first ODI will be played on Friday, 27th November at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). This will be India’s first international cricket match since March 2020.