New Delhi: Indore is set to host its first-ever Test during the three-match series against New Zealand in September-October as India's top cricketers, in a unique way, on Tuesday announced the full schedule of the tour that will kick start the team's home season.
Skipper Virat Kohli announced on his twitter handle that the first Test will be played at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur from September 22-26.
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
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) June 28, 2016
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 organise the other matches.
Here's the full schedule for #IndvNZ - https://t.co/C0feAAKeiT … #TeamIndia #IndiaCricket - @BLACKCAPS pic.twitter.com/AuiMtocF5e
— BCCI (@BCCI) June 28, 2016
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.
Kumble said:
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
— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) June 28, 2016
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.
India-New Zealand schedule:
Test series:
1st Test: Sept 22-26 Kanpur
2nd Test: Sept 30-Oct 4 Kolkata
3rd Test: Oct 8-12 Indore
ODIs:
1st ODI: Oct 16 Dharamsala
2nd ODI: Oct 19 Delhi
3rd ODI: Oct 23 Mohali
4th ODI: Oct 26 Ranchi
5th ODI: Oct 29 Visakhapatnam.
