BCCI announces changes to India’s 2024-25 home series schedule; Gwalior to host T20I match vs Bangladesh

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday, August 13, announced a revamped schedule for the upcoming 2024-25 home season. The Board of Control for Cricket in India changed venues for the T20I series against Bangladesh in October and the T20I series against England early next year.

The Indian team will kickstart the home series with the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, starting September 19. Following the Test series, the home team will play a three-match T20I series in October. The first T20I of the three-match series is scheduled to be played in Dharamsala on October 6.

BCCI Announces Revised Schedule for Upcoming Home Season

However, the BCCI officially stated that the first T20I match will be played at Gwalior's new cricket stadium—Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium. The board decided due to upgrades and renovation work being carried out by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association.

"The first T20I between India and Bangladesh, initially set to be held in Dharamsala on 6th October 2024, will now take place in Gwalior owing to upgrades and renovation work being carried out by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in the dressing rooms," the board said in a release.

"The match in Gwalior marks the inaugural international fixture at the city's new stadium - Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium - and the first since the historic India-South Africa ODI in 2010, where the legendary Sachin Tendulkar became the first male cricketer to score a double century in ODIs."

The upcoming match in Gwalior will be the first international fixture at the new Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium. Team India last played in Gwalior in an ODI match against South Africa back in 2010. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar smashed a historic double hundred during that match.

Kolkata To Host First T20I Of India-England In January 2025

The BCCI didn't make changes to the venues for India's two Tests against Bangladesh and three Tests against New Zealand. However, the BCCI announced a venue swap for the first two T20Is against England. The first T20I was scheduled to be played in Chennai, followed by the second match in Kolkata.

According to the revised schedule, Kolkata will host the first match on January 22, and the second match will be played in Chennai on January 25.

"The Board further announces a swap in the venues of the first and second T20Is against England. Chennai, originally scheduled to host the first T20I will now host the second while Kolkata will host the opening T20I instead of the second, as announced earlier. The dates for the first T20I (22nd January 2025) and the second T20I (25th January 2025) remain the same."

"The venue change was necessitated following a request from Kolkata Police to the Cricket Association of Bengal regarding their prior Republic Day commitments and obligations," the statement concluded.

The last three T20Is of the India-England series are set for January 28 in Rajkot, January 31 in Pune, and February 2 in Mumbai. India will play three home Tests against New Zealand before a five-match Test series in Australia.

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