The Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team will play two four-day intra-squad games ahead of their five-match Test series against England starting on August 4, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Friday.
The visitors will begin their camp from July 15 at the Riverside ground in Durham as part of their preparation for the upcoming red-ball series against a strong England outfit.
Interestingly, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) had requested the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to schedule a couple of warm-up matches against English county sides. However, the request was declined by the ECB owing to the strict coronavirus protocols put in place.
"Due to COVID-19 protocols, they will play two intra-squad four-day matches before the first Test in August," an ECB spokesperson was quoted as saying to news agency PTI on Friday.
India captain Virat Kohli has reportedly expressed his annoyance after the tourists have been denied an opportunity to test themselves ahead of the highly-anticipated Test series.
Meanwhile, Team India cricketers are currently on a two-week break after suffering a defeat in the inaugural World Test Championship (WTC) final against New Zealand. The players are expected to assemble in London on July 14 and then travel to Durham, where they will stay in a bio-bubble.
India will play their first Test of the five-match series at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground in Nottingham.
Featured photo: Glyn KIRK / AFP
