India To Lock Horns With India A In Two Four-Day Games Ahead Of The Five-Match Test Series In England

In what would be a first, the Virat Kohli-led Indian Cricket Team will ramp up its preparations for their five-Test series in the English summer of 2021 by playing two India vs India A warm-up games.

The year 2021 will see India lock horns with England in as many as nine Test matches. While they are all set to host Joe Root’s men in a four-match rubber from February 05, the return series will take place in England in August.

And, so in order to get used to the conditions, it has been revealed that Team India will square-off against India A in a couple of four-day games.

The first of those four-day games will take place at the Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, the dates of which are yet to be released.

“Some of the world’s finest international cricketers will be on show at The County Ground this summer as we welcome India and India A,” Northamptonshire County Cricket Club said in a statement on Wednesday.

“Ahead of India’s five-test series against England in August, Virat Kohli’s Indian side take on India A in a four-day warm-up fixture that promises to be a showcase of high-quality cricket.” the statement said.

Some of the biggest names in international cricket are coming to The County Ground this summer! ?

We're excited to announce India will visit The County Ground in July for a 4 day warmup fixture against India A.

— Northamptonshire CCC (@NorthantsCCC) January 27, 2021

The date and venue of the second warm-up match have, however, been released. It is scheduled in Leicestershire on July 28.

“The Indian tour party will then travel to Leicestershire the following week for a second warm-up fixture beginning the 28th of July,” the statement said.

The five-match Test series will finally kickstart from August 04, with the first match set to take place at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. The second (August 12-16) and fourth Tests (September 2-6) will take place in London- at Lord’s and the Oval respectively- while the third (August 25-29) and fifth (September 10-14) will be held in Leeds and Manchester respectively.

The second (August 12-16) and fourth Tests (September 2-6) will be held in London, while the third (August 25-29) and fifth (September 10-14) Tests are scheduled in Leeds and Manchester.

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