India's Cricket Schedule for 2017

It is the start of the year and the Indian men’s cricket team already gave plenty of moments to cheer for the avid Indian fans. The year started with a hard-fought series win against West Indies in their backyard followed by consecutive home series wins against New Zealand and England in rather convincing fashion. The team ended as the top-ranked test team. Not that long ago, on the limited overs front, though it lost the series against Australia in Australia, but managed to win the Asia Cup, played in T20 format in order to help the teams prepare for upcoming ICC World T20. It reached the semi-finals in the global tournament, which it hosted as well. After that, it won an away series in Zimbabwe followed by a nail-biting series against the Kiwis at home. It also managed to win the ODI series against England with convincing displays against one of the finest ODI outfits in recent memory. It is expected that 2017, too, would give the cricket lovers a lot of fond memories.

T20 series against England

India has already clinched the one day series against England following the lengthy Christmas break. The three-match T20 series is expected to follow suit. The series would start with a game on Republic Day at Kanpur. The second T20 will be played on January 29 at Nagpur, followed by the final game of the series on the first day of February at Bengaluru.

Solitary test against Bangladesh

After this India will make history as it hosts eastern neighbours Bangladesh for the first time in a test. The game is expected to be played from February 8 to 12. The game is scheduled to be played at Hyderabad. However, it is being touted that Kolkata too could get the game, considering the uncertainty in the Hyderabad Cricket Association owing to the Lodha Reforms.

Test series against Australia

This test will be followed by a four-match test series against the Aussies at home. The first test of the series will be played at Pune from February 23 to 27. Bengaluru will host the second test that will start on March 4 and end on March 8. Ranchi, the hometown of MS Dhoni, will host the third test form March 16 to 20. This is the first time that this ground, which has hosted several ODIs and a T20, will host a test match. The final test of the series will be held at the picturesque Dharamsala ground in Himachal Pradesh from March 25 to 29.

IPL

In 2017 the IPL, regarded by many as the biggest cricket festival in India, will be played from April 5 to May 21. This is going to be the tenth edition of the tournament.

Champion’s Trophy

The ICC Champion’s Trophy will be played in England from June 1 to June 18. This is going to be the eighth edition of the tournament and the first time that India will enter as solo defending champions. In 2002 it had won the tournament with Sri Lanka after rain had washed out both the finals. This tournament will also mark an extended break of the Indian men’s national team from limited overs cricket. The tournament will see eight teams divided into two groups. Group A has Australia, Bangladesh, England, and New Zealand. Group B has India, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. It will be played at three venues – Kennington Oval in London, Birmingham, and Cardiff.

Tour of West Indies

The fixtures for this tour are yet to be released. The available information says that India will tour the Caribbean for five ODIs and a T20, all of which will be played in July.

Tour of Sri Lanka

The men’s national cricket team is also expected to tour Sri Lanka to play three tests, five one-day games, and a T20. The tour will start later on in July and finish somewhere in September. The fixtures are yet to be determined.

Tour of South Africa

India is expected to end the year with a mega-series if you will against South Africa in its own backyard. After what happened in India during the later part of 2015, it can be said without a doubt that South Africa will be gunning for revenge, at least in the tests. The tour will probably happen over two months – November and December – considering the number of games involved. There will be four tests, five ODIs, and a couple of T20s.

Women’s cricket

Last, but definitely at least a universe away from being the least, our women’s national cricket team, too has been playing really well. The likes of Smriti Mandhana have made us proud with her entry in the ICC Women’s Team of the Year. Then, we have the likes of Mandhana (Brisbane Heat) and Harmanpreet Kaur (Sydney Thunder) playing in the Women’s Big Bash League – perhaps the top league for women in the world. As of now, it sits at the fifth position in global cricket rankings for women.

Women’s World Cup Qualifier

The ICC Women’s World Cup Qualifier will be played from February 7 to February 21 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Four grounds – P Sara Oval, Nondescripts Cricket Club Ground, Mercantile Cricket Association Ground, and Colombo Cricket Club Ground – will host the games. The participants have been divided into two groups that can be enumerated as below: Group A – Sri Lanka, India, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Thailand Group B – South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, and Scotland

ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017

The ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2017 will be played from June 26 to July 23. The tournament will be played at England and eight teams are expected to take part in the same. As of now, the top four teams in the international Women’s Championship – Australia, England, New Zealand, and West Indies have qualified straightaway for the tournament. The tournament will be played over five venues – Lord’s in London, Derby, Bristol, Leicester, and Taunton. This is the eleventh occasion that the tournament is being held with the first one organized in 1973, which makes this tournament older than the men’s version. This is the third time that England will hold the tournament with the previous occasions being 1973 and 1993. Australia will enter the tournament as the defending champions. Read More... Karun Nair – Second Indian Cricketer To Score 300 How will Anil Kumble fare as the Coach of Indian Cricket Team? Cricket Vs Other Sports: The Indian Scenario Of People, Media and Indian Cricket