The Indian team will have a non-stop cricketing calendar in 2021 after a COVID-19 affected season in 2020. After playing hosts to England for a possible series of five Test matches in February-March, the Indian team will pay a return visit to the UK and play a full series.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced the entire itinerary for India’s tour of England in 2021 which sees the two teams playing five Tests in the months of August and September.
The five Tests against India are set to be held at Trent Bridge, Lord's, Emerald Headingley, the Kia Oval, and Emirates Old Trafford, while Durham, Bristol, Edgbaston, and Cardiff will all host limited-overs matches.
Team India to play non-stop cricket throughout 2021: Report
ECB Chief Executive Officer, Tom Harrison, said: "We had an amazing summer of international cricket this year with some memorable performances, and we know how much enjoyment it brought to people whilst staying at home.”
Apart from this blockbuster series against India, England also announced a provisional schedule which includes a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and three 50-over matches, and three T20s against Pakistan.
The ECB has confirmed that more fixtures could be arranged, including Test cricket, pending the ICC's decision about the World Test Championship final, currently set to take place in early June.
While all of England's men's home internationals were eventually played this summer, despite COVID-19, they were all held at two venues, Emirates Old Trafford and the Ageas Bowl. Next summer, the ECB's intention is to play internationals at a larger number of grounds.
Provisional 2021 England Men's home internationals
England Men's Test Series against India
August 4-8: England v India 1st Test, Trent Bridge
August 12-16: England v India 2nd Test, Lord's
August 25-29: England v India 3rd Test, Emerald Headingley
September 2-6: England v India 4th Test, Kia Oval
September 10-14: England v India 5th Test, Emirates Old Trafford
England Men's Royal London Series against Sri Lanka:
Tue 29 June England v Sri Lanka 1st ODI Emirates Riverside, Durham
Thu 1 July England v Sri Lanka 2nd ODI Kia Oval
Sun 4 July England v Sri Lanka 3rd ODI Bristol County Ground
England Men's Series against Pakistan
Royal London Series:
July 8: England v Pakistan, 1st ODI at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff
July 10: England v Pakistan 2nd ODI at Lord's, London
July 13: England v Pakistan 3rd ODI at Edgbaston, Birmingham
Vitality IT20 Series:
July 16: England v Pakistan, 1st IT20 at Trent Bridge
July 18: England v Pakistan, 2nd IT20 at Emerald Headingley
July 20: England v Pakistan, 3rd IT20 at Emirates Old Trafford
