Ahmedabad to host Day-Night Test match against England next year: BCCI president Ganguly

BCCI president Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that Ahmedabad will host the Day-Night Pink ball Test during England's tour of India early next year. England, who are ranked 4th in the Test rankings and number one in the ODI format, are slated to visit India from January-March for 5 Tests and a limited overs series.

"Ahmedabad will hold the Day-Night Test," Ganguly said at the Kolkata Press Club during a function, according to news agency PTI. Due to the critical coronavirus situaton in India, it was being speculated that UAE, which is currently hosting the 13th edition of the Indian Permier League (IPL), will also host the India versus England series. But the BCCI looks determined to host England in India only and is already exploring all possible options, including creating bio-secure bubbles.

Ahmedabad, Dharamsala and Kolkata could be the three likely venues for the Test series. Notably, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) have already requested to host an England test after South Africa's



3rd ODI match against India was indefintely postponed in March in the last moments due to surge in Covid-19 cases in India.

However, Sourav Ganguly said that the board is yet to take a final call. "We have made some tentative plans but nothing has been decided as of now. We still have four months' time," Ganguly said.

The former India captain added that BCCI's top-most prority for now is Team India's upcoming tour of Australia. "Before England, we have Australia series coming up. There will be team selection happening in a few days," Ganguly added.

Further, Ganguly stated that switching to the Test format immediately after the IPL won't be a problem for Team India players. "They are all quality players, they will be fine."

The plans for the resumption of domestic cricket will discussed in the Annual General Meeting (AGM), Sourav Ganguly revealed.

"The AGM will happen soon and there we will decide about the Ranji Trophy."