Indias home season: Kolkata, Delhi swap Tests against Windies and SA
New Delhi, Jun 9 (PTI) Kolkata's Eden Gardens and Delhi's Arun Jaitley Stadium will swap their allocated Test matches against West Indies and South Africa respectively during India's upcoming home season, the BCCI announced on Monday.
While Delhi was set to host the opening Test against South Africa from November 14-18, it will now host the second Test against West Indies starting October 10.
Though the BCCI release doesn't state the reason for the venue swap, it is understood that air pollution levels in mid-November in the National Capital Region become a health hazard like it happened during a Test match against Sri Lanka few years back.
The Sri Lankan fielders were wearing masks and a few reportedly suffered from breathing problems.
It is understood that BCCI's Cricket Operations team collated the AQI data over the past few years and decided that venue swap is a viable option.
India's home season starts with two WTC Tests against West Indies, starting October 2 in Ahmedabad, followed by the Delhi Test.
India then play a full three format series against South Africa starting with two Tests, followed by three ODIs and five T20 Internationals across various Indian venues.
While Kolkata hosts the opening Test against the Proteas, Guwahati's Barsapara Stadium will become the latest Test venue as the second Test will be played from November 22 to 26.
The ODIs will be held at Ranchi (November 30), Raipur (December 3) and Visakhapatnam (December 6). The five T20Is will be held at Cuttack (December 9), New Chandigarh (December 11), Dharamsala (December 14), Lucknow (December 17) and Ahmedabad (December 19).
Meanwhile Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) has expressed its inability to host the women's ODI series against Australia starting September 14, which was supposed to serve as a pre-cursor to the 50-over World Cup starting September 30.
The first two matches of the series will now be played in Mullanpur (New Chandigarh) and the third match in New Delhi.
Men's A series vs Australia and South Africa
===========================
The fringe players in Indian men's team set-up will have their hands full with BCCI hosting both Australia A and South Africa A for four 'unofficial Tests' and six List A games.
Both the touring sides will play two 'Tests' and three List A games each. Australia A series will happen in Lucknow and Kanpur while Bengaluru's COE will host the Proteas A team for the 'unofficial Tests'. Rajkot will host three ODIs.
Australia A Tests will be in Lucknow from September 16-19 and 23-26 giving chance to the Test specialists to get into groove for the West Indies games.
Ditto for SA A series, which will be a shadow tour before the main event.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Hindu
43 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Dressing room seems like a funeral, but we can still qualify: Marquez after Hong Kong defeat
"The dressing room is like a funeral (site)," said Indian football head coach Manolo Marquez as he struggled to explain the 0-1 loss to Hong Kong here even though he remained optimistic about the team's chances of qualifying for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup. India conceded in the fifth minute of stoppage time on Tuesday, slumping to a second straight goalless outing in Asian Cup qualifiers, jeopardising their chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup. '...we are not very happy. We are sad. The dressing room is like a funeral, practically,' Marquez said when a question on the future of the team came up, insisting that it was not the time to dwell on that aspect. '...But I still think that India has possibilities to qualify,' he declared nonetheless in the post-match press conference. Ranked 26 places above their opponents in the FIFA charts, the Indians were undone by poor finishing and lack of composure in key moments. India should have taken the lead in the 35th minute when Ashique Kuruniyan misjudged the delivery and fluffed a golden chance from close range. 'The game is easy to speak. Two teams fighting and that's all. Without too many chances. I think both teams defended both with order and one action. This is football,' he said, trying hard to find the right words to explain the performance. India now have just one point from two matches in Group C. With only the group winners advancing to the 2027 AFC Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, the task ahead would be arduous. '...we are not in a good moment. In terms of scores, it's difficult for us to score. But it's true that the team played with more order than in other games. This is true. But, unfortunately, we couldn't get any points here.' Marquez also lamented his side's inability to settle for a point. 'I repeat again, it's for me a very equal game and unfortunately for us, practically in the last action, we lost at least one point and Hong Kong have three points. I told in the dressing room, obviously we want to win. 'But sometimes the team doesn't know how to draw. And today, if you couldn't win the game before the minute 90-91, at least try to be in a position to avoid the defeat. But I feel that India is still in the fight.' Asked how India can fix their scoring woes, the coach responded with an honest reflection. 'Sometimes you never know. One day, this is not a problem of the national team, it's in clubs also. Sometimes there are four, five, six games that you don't score and suddenly you score three-four goals...' However, he steered clear of criticising individual players but conceded that at times, nerves are getting the better of them. 'I cannot say nothing negative about the players. I think that the effort was there, the attitude was there, the plan of the game was there. In some moments, I feel that we can play better with the ball and be more brave,' he said. 'But this is about the situation that the team is not winning and the players are a little nervous. In some actions that the pass is clear, we are a little nervous,' he admitted. Since taking over from Igor Stimac last year, Marquez has overseen eight matches with only one win — a 3-0 friendly victory over Maldives. India have drawn four and lost three, including both critical Asian Cup qualifiers. The team has scored just five times while conceding nine, failing to find the net in their last three outings.
The Hindu
43 minutes ago
- The Hindu
Had conversation with Nitish, want to see him bowl more overs: Morne Morkel
Nitish Reddy can produce "magical" deliveries but India's bowling coach Morne Morkel wants the batting all-rounder to bowl more overs to complement his primary skill-set of batting in the upcoming five-Test series against England. Reddy, who scored a Test hundred against Australia at the MCG in the last year's 'Boxing Day' Test is fighting for seam bowling all-rounder's slot in the playing XI with seasoned Shardul Thakur, who is more of a seamer. Reddy bowled 26.5 overs in the two 'Tests' against England Lions and Morkel has "challenged" his ward to bowl more. 'I think he (Reddy) is skillful. He is a guy who can bowl that magical ball. So for him, it is about creating that consistency and that's something we want to work on. It's important for his game as well,' the former South African fast bowling great said on sidelines of India's training session. 'I've had conversations with him where I've challenged him to bowl a bit more. I want to see the ball more in his hands. We all know what he can do with the bat. But for a team, if you can have those bowling options, especially in these conditions, I think he'll be one to be excited and compliment his bowling at that,' said Morkel. Morkel predictably didn't want to reveal team management's cards when asked who between Reddy and 11-Test old Shardul Thakur will get the nod for the Leeds Test. 'In terms of the balance, we've got very happy with that. But for us as a bowling unit, finding that gear that we're going to need in Test matches is going to be important.' The lanky former Proteas spoke about possible match-ups. 'We've spoken a lot about how we're going to go about playing and match-up England. But I think so far we're in the right way in terms of doing the preparation. And for us, like you say, when it comes to match day, with the ball, it's about execution.' Morkel is confident that Indian team has covered all its bases in terms of squad election. 'I think in terms of that we cover, like you say, all the bases. But for us now, the key thing is to get Test match fit, ready, that sharpness, to get that back. We haven't played Test matches for a while now. 'In England, the conditions can suit you and it's overcast, but still it's going to be good surfaces. I think we're going to be testing that.' The key is to have players fit and match-ready ensuring that the stay 90 overs on the field, said Morkel. "We've only had three sessions so far. We've got a four-day warm-up game (vs India A) starting in two days' time. I'm going to be more interested to see how our guys go in that four-day game," Morkel said. While India has already had three sessions, Morkel said it is not a great indicator about a player's physical ability to stay on the field. 'It's one thing judging a net session, but for our guys to stand in the field, getting used to doing 90 overs in the field, that's going to take some time. We need to realise that and we need to be patient with that. 'We need to find a way to get up to speed as quick as possible because that's going to be a real test.' Morkel feels that sudden change of temperatures and chilly weather can lead too to stiffness. 'English outfields are quite heavy. The weather conditions are quite cold, so your body can stiffen up. So it's one thing for me ticking a box, doing well in the nets, but again, it's that match fitness, that time in the field that we need to, as quick as possible, find a way to get up to speed with.' Morkel couldn't be more happier watching the players take ownership and responsibility during training sessions. 'I think that's one of the things that has impressed me so much in these two-day sessions we've had. The guys sort of stepped up by themselves. They've taken that ownership, that responsibility, and realizing that it's going to be a tough tour. 'I think that's the pleasing thing as coaches, to see guys taking that leadership and ownership in practice.' Morkel also brushed away theory about Jasprit Bumrah being under-cooked with only some IPL matches in his kitty. 'He (Bumrah) knows how to get himself ready. He knows how to prepare. And like you say, I was blown away to see the energy in the ball the last three days. So that's very exciting to see happy 'Boom'.' 'I'm just happy his body is in good shape at the moment and we'll manage him with that. And we'll be smart with him because he's obviously key for us,' he concluded.
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
Australia tough to beat: Beau Webster hails bowlers for WTC Final start
Australia all-rounder and Day 1 standout Beau Webster credited the bowling unit for Australia's strong start in the World Test Championship Final against South Africa at Lord's on June 11. Despite a fiery five-wicket haul from Kagiso Rabada, Australia ended the day on top thanks to a late fightback with the played a crucial hand with the bat, scoring a composed 72 to anchor Australia's innings alongside Steve Smith, who added 66. Their efforts helped push Australia to 212, a total that looked competitive after what vs SA, WTC Final Day 1: Highlights "Our bowling attack is so strong for a number of years now. We know if we can't do it with the bat, our bowlers will do it. Outstanding from the boys," Webster said at stumps on Day 1 to the response, Mitchell Starc set the tone early with the ball, dismissing Aiden Markram in the opening over. He finished with 2/10 as South Africa's top order collapsed. Ryan Rickelton, Tristan Stubbs, and Wiaan Mulder all fell cheaply, with South Africa closing Day 1 at 43/ 5/51 had earlier put South Africa in control, but their batting faltered under pressure. With Temba Bavuma and David Bedingham at the crease — Bedingham finishing the day with back-to-back boundaries off Pat Cummins — South Africa will need a significant effort on Day 2 to stabilise the early setbacks, Australia's fightback with the ball has put them in a commanding position after the opening day at Lord's.
