India to play record 23 home matches in 4 months this year
Team India will play a record 23 home matches this year from September to December, the BCCI announced on Tuesday. India will host Australia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka during the season, with the team playing a total of three Tests, 11 ODIs and nine T20Is at home. Thiruvananthapuram and Barsapara in Assam may be added as Test venues.
Two new venues, Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and Barsapara in Assam are in contention to host Test matches during the home series against Sri Lanka as Indian cricket team is set to play a record 23 international matches at home between September and December. A decision will be taken by BCCI?s Tours and Fixtures Committee in Kolkata on Tuesday. (Read | Virat Kohli ?spoilt for choices? ahead of second India vs Sri Lanka Test match)  According to a BCCI office-bearer, Indian cricket team will play five ODIs and three T20 Internationals against Australia from September end to mid of October. The series will be followed by three ODIs and as many T20Is against New Zealand. The series against the Black Caps Kiwis will begin late in October and conclude in the first week of November.India is all set to play 23 internationals at home from Sep-Dec 2017 - 3 Tests, 11 ODIs, 9 T20Is against Australia, New Zealand & Sri Lanka.? Mohandas Menon (@mohanstatsman) August 1, 2017The home season will end in December with three Tests, three ODIs and three T20 Internationals against Sri Lanka. After that, Virat Kohli and his men fly down to South Africa.(Read | Cheteshwar Pujara: Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel reality check strengthened resolve) ?There are 23 International matches at home. Three Tests, 11 ODIs and nine T20 Internationals. Each and every venue in India will be covered. Barsapara in Assam and Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram have got Test status. Both are vying for Test matches. Most of the bigger centres want either a T20 International or ODIs,? a BCCI official told PTI.A Kerala Cricket Association official confirmed the development.?Since Kochi?s Nehru Stadium, which has traditionally hosted ODIs, will be used for he FIFA U-17 World Cup, we are hoping that Greenfields gets its first Test,? he said.(Read | Captain Virat Kohli displays icy nerves despite upheaval in Indian dressing room)  Nagpur, which was under suspension may also be in contention to host a Test match. The traditional centres such as Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru or Mohali will get ODIs or T20 Internationals, which draw capacity crowd. There are possibilities that a couple of centres may get more than a match. ?One can be rest assured that atleast 16-18 venues will be covered during this phase,? he concluded. 