The Cricket Australia is ready to announce the schedule of the much anticipated India tour down under for 2020-21 season. India is due to play four Test matches, mostly behind closed doors at bio-secure venues due to ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, if the tour gets the go-ahead.
The Gabba in Brisbane won the hosting rights for the marquee Test, which is now scheduled to be played from December 3. Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney are the other venues that will host the remaining matches in the series which is worth $300 million, according to 7News.
Cricket Australia is set to announce the international schedule for Australia's 2020-21 season on Friday. As many as 5 international men's teams are scheduled to tour Down Under if things go as planned amid the Covid-19 crisis.
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Last time India toured down under was in 2018-19 and Virat Kohli’s men registered their maiden Test series win against Australia in Australia. However, this time, Australia will be at full strength in batting as David Warner and Steve Smith had missed the previous series due to their ball-tampering bans.
Virat Kohli's men will face a stiff test as Australia has not lost a single match at the Gabba since 1988. India did not play a Test at the Gabba during their tour of 2018-19 in which they went on to create history by winning the Test series 2-1.
India has played 6 Tests at the Gabba and has not managed to win even once -- 5 defeats and a draw. Last time in 2014, Australia clinched a 4-wicket win at the venue in what was MS Dhoni’s final Test series.
The 2nd Test, which is likely to be a day-night affair, will be played from December 11 at the Adelaide Oval while Melbourne and Sydney will host their traditional Boxing Day and New Year's Test, the news report said.
India will also play 3 ODIs and as many T20Is but it will all depend on the Covid-19 situation and travel restrictions at that time.
However, the presence of the spectators remains an issue associated with authorities giving permission or not.
