England is set to embark on a packed year of Test cricket, kicking off with a challenging five-match series in India as part of their ongoing ‘Bazball’ revolution in the subcontinent. Since Brendon McCullum assumed leadership of the Test team in 2022, England has displayed remarkable prowess, remaining unbeaten in Test series both at home and abroad. Over this period, they clinched victories in four series and secured draws in three, accumulating an impressive overall record of 14 wins and six defeats.
However, the upcoming six-week tour of India poses another rigorous examination for the ‘new England.’ The last time they visited, the team suffered a comprehensive 3-1 defeat. Although they emerged victorious in the first Test, the subsequent three matches witnessed defeats by substantial margins – 317 runs, 10 wickets, and an innings and 25 runs, respectively. Since their notable 2-1 triumph in 2012/3, England has struggled in India, winning only one out of nine Tests, losing seven and drawing one.
The India tour follows the conclusion of England’s white-ball endeavors, which culminate in a T20 and one-day international tour of the West Indies. The much-anticipated five-Test series in India is scheduled to take place from January 25, 2024, to March 11, 2024, with the assumption that the final Test will span the full five days.
The battlegrounds for these Tests are iconic cricket stadiums across India. The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad, with a seating capacity of 55,000, sets the stage for one of the clashes. Visakhapatnam’s Dr YS Rajashekar Reddy ACA–VDCA Cricket Stadium, established in 2003 and accommodating 40,000 spectators, hosts another encounter. The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Rajkot, boasting a capacity of 28,000, provides a unique venue, while the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium in Ranchi, established in 2011 with a capacity of 50,000, promises an electric atmosphere. Lastly, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala, with a capacity of 23,000, concludes the series with what is anticipated to be a thrilling finale.
Here is the schedule for the England tour of India, 2024
| Date | Match | Venue | Start Time (GMT) | Start Time (Local) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 25, Thu – Jan 29, Mon | India vs England, 1st Test | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad | 04:00 GMT | 09:30 AM LOCAL |
| Feb 02, Fri – Feb 06, Tue | India vs England, 2nd Test | Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam | 04:00 GMT | 09:30 AM LOCAL |
| Feb 15, Thu – Feb 19, Mon | India vs England, 3rd Test | Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot | 04:00 GMT | 09:30 AM LOCAL |
| Feb 23, Fri – Feb 27, Tue | India vs England, 4th Test | JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi | 04:00 GMT | 09:30 AM LOCAL |
| Mar 07, Thu – Mar 11, Mon | India vs England, 5th Test | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala | 04:00 GMT | 09:30 AM LOCAL |
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