Indore to host first ever Test, no day-night Test in NZ series

NEW DELHI: Indore is set to host its first-ever cricket Test during India’s home series against New Zealand in September-October but a day-night encounter is not part of the roster released by the BCCI, which had earlier revealed plans to have a game with the pink ball. India’s top cricketers, in a unique way, on Tuesday announced the full schedule of the tour that will kick start the team’s season with the first Test in Kanpur from September 22-26. However, in the official schedule released by the BCCI there was no mention of the day-night Test against the Kiwis as all Test matches will start at 09:30 in the morning. In April, BCCI president Anurag Thakur, who was secretary then, had said that India will play one day-night Test in the series against New Zealand. Announcing the schedule today, India skipper Virat Kohli tweeted that the first Test will be played at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur. Seamer Mohammad Shami tweeted about the his home ground Eden Gardens where the second Test will take place from September 30-October 4. Initially, the BCCI scheduled the game from October 8-12 but it was advanced as the dates were clashing with Durga Puja. Later it was the turn of batsman Ajinkya Rahane to reveal that the third Test will be held at the Holkar Stadium in Indore October 8-12. “The land of great Syed Mushtaq Ali will host its 1st ever Test Match. Indore is waiting 4 the moment. #IndvNZ 2nd Test Match,” Rahane wrote on his twitter handle. While Kohli said, “TeamIndia will begin the home season at one of the oldest venues in the country – KANPUR vs. @BLACKCAPS #IndvNZ 1st Test starts Sept 22.” Dharamsala will host the first of the five ODIs on October 16, while Delhi (October 19), Mohali (October 23), Ranchi (October 26) and Visakhapatnam (October 29) will host the other matches. Through his twitter account, newly appointed head coach Anil Kumble urged fans to turn up for the final One-day International in the port city of Visakhapatnam. “Vizag is all set to host the final ODI of the series against Kiwis #IndvNZ on Oct 29. Turn up at the stadium and support #TeamIndia @BCCI,” Kumble said. The BCCI president Anurag Thakur told PTI: “The upcoming home series against New Zealand will be very significant and we will be kickstarting an important phase in Indian cricket. The game is about players first. That’s the reason we have taken this unique initiative where the players of the national team will announce the schedule.” “It also brings them closer to the fans. Expect more such initiatives in coming days,” he added. (PTI)