India to play intra-squad games in Durham ahead of England Tests

India captain Virat Kohli had earlier expressed his displeasure at not being given any first-class games before the England series, starting in Nottingham on August 4.

While it is understood that BCCI had requested ECB for a few practice games, the COVID-19 situation won't allow any such plan to go ahead.

The Indian cricket team will start its camp in Durham from July 15 and play a couple of four-day intra-squad games as part of their preparation for the Test series against England.

While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has reached out to the England and Wales Cricket Board to see if the team can play a couple of practice games before the series begins in August, it looks unlikely.

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“As far as we are concerned, their schedule remains the same. They have a camp in Durham from July 15 and will play two four-day intra-squad matches amongst their extended playing squad,” a ECB spokesperson told  Sportstar .

He also indicated that so far there are “no requests to change it and we don’t expect the schedule to change.”

After losing the World Test Championship final, India captain Virat Kohli had said that he would have ideally wanted practice games with county sides, but that was not happening. It is understood that due to bubble protocols and the Vitality League going on, it won’t be feasible to put together county sides and with India travelling with 24 players, it would allow them to play intra-squad games.

The Indian team is expected to reach Durham on July 14 after a two-week break.