England-India Five-Test Series To Be Contested In Front Of Capacity Crowd
Updated - 06 Jul 2021, 12:13 PM
England saw the return of crowds on the brink of full capacity from the home Test series between Joe Root’s men and New Zealand earlier this June. Lord’s and Edgbaston were almost packed, while the World Test Championship between India and Kiwis also had a fair amount of spectators. But the upcoming five-match Test series between India and England, beginning from the 4th of August, will see the return of full-house crowds in the stadiums.
United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has reportedly lifted the COVID-19-related restrictions on Monday, paving the way for the return of Barmy Army, often considered as England’s 12th man. India and New Zealand played the World Test Championship final in Southampton, where the maximum limit was 4000. But the stadiums seemed almost packed for the two-Test series against New Zealand.
Moreover, the recently-concluded white-ball series against Sri Lanka had a full house, while the same is set to be for the forthcoming ODI and T20I series against Pakistan. The Indian team, who lost the World Test Championship final by eight wickets, could play a warm-up match against a ‘Select County XI’ ahead of the first Test in Nottingham.
An England Cricket Board spokesperson admitted they are aware of the request from BCCI to organize a practice game against County Select XI for India ahead of a gruelling five-match series.
“We are aware of a request from the BCCI to play a three-day warm-up match against a County Select XI as part of the Indian men’s Test teams build-up to the five-match Test series,” the official told PTI.
England run the risk of losing a second consecutive Test series at home:
Meanwhile, after New Zealand humbled Joe Root’s men in the two-Test series, making it England’s first home Test series loss in seven years, they have the challenge to stop a formidable Indian side from doing the same. While the Three Lions would welcome plenty of first-choice players, who were missing against New Zealand, it still looks like a fragile batting unit.
Furthermore, India would all be geared up to bounce back after the Black Caps inflicted a heavy defeat on them in the WTC final. Virat Kohli’s men are currently on a break and have a couple of injury problems to deal with in terms of Shubman Gill and Ishant Sharma too. However, they should still fancy themselves to win their first Test series in England since 2007.
