As the year 2020 comes to an end, with most of the cricket around the world being suspended due to the Coronavirus pandemic, including that of the Indian team, the New Year 2021 shows promise of more and better cricketing spectacles.
The Indian cricket team's last international series was against New Zealand in February 2020 before they locked horns with Australia Down Under in November. However, 2021 will prove to be a jam-packed year for the Indian team, as they play host to some of the biggest nations and even an ICC event.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is yet to release the official schedule for Team India but as per a report in InsideSport, Virat Kohli & Co. are set to play 16 ODIs, 23 T20Is, and 14 Tests from January to December 2021, which does not include the matches in Asia Cup and T20 World Cup.
Here is a view of Team India's schedule for 2021:
January- Australia v India
India’s 2021 season will begin with the third Test against Australia of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, to be played from January 7 at the SCG. The series is currently level at 1-1, with the fourth and final Test to be played in Brisbane from January 15 onwards.
February to March- England tour of India
One of the much-awaited series in the coming New Year, England will travel to India to play four Tests, 3 ODIs, and 5 T20I matches. The BCCI has already announced the schedule for this series against England, which will see the New Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, Ahmedabad hosting the entire T20I series.
April to May- IPL 2021
The next edition of the Indian Premier League will be played between April and May. The 2020 edition was staged in the UAE due to the COVID-19 situation in India but the tournament can be moved back to India in 2021 if the situation is in control.
June to July- India’s tour of Sri Lanka and Asia Cup 2021
India will tour Sri Lanka post the conclusion of the Indian Premier League for a 3-match ODI series and five-match T20I series. India will extend their stay in Sri Lanka to take part in the Asia Cup where they will be defending their title and meeting arch-rivals Pakistan after a long gap of two years.
July- India’s tour to Zimbabwe
India is then scheduled to tour Zimbabwe for a limited-overs series. The tour was scheduled to happen in 2020 but was postponed due to COVID-19. Some young players and new faces might get a chance to prove themselves in the Zimbabwe series.
August to September- India’s tour of England
After playing hosts to England for a full series, India will then travel to the UK to participate in a five-match Test series, starting August 2021.
October- South Africa tour of India
India will return home to host South Africa in the month of October ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021.
October-November- The ICC T20 World Cup 2021
India will then play hosts to the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 during October-November, making them a two-time hosts of the event after the 2016 edition.
November-December- New Zealand tour of India
New Zealand will tour India after the T20 World Cup for two Tests and three T20Is in November-December.
December- India tour of South Africa
India will end their 2021 with a tour of South Africa where they will play three Tests and three T20Is.
(InsideSport/ Timesnownews inputs)
