The BCCI recently released Team India's home Test match schedule in 2025. Currently, the Indian players are busy playing in the IPL. After the season ends, the Indian team will travel to the UK for a five-match Test series against England.
Team India will kick off their home season with a two-match Test series against the West Indies. The first Test will be played in Ahmedabad from October 2-6. Kolkata will host the second Test from October 10-14.
Then the Indian team will host South Africa for a two-match Test series, followed by a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20I series. The series will be played between November and December, with New Delhi set to host the first Test from November 14 to 18.
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Generally, the BCCI does not keep matches in Delhi in November-December due to pollution and smog. However, BCCI's move to schedule the first Test against South Africa in Delhi in November surprised fans. They were quick to remind the BCCI about the India vs Sri Lanka Test match in November 2017, which was called off due to smog. Players from both teams struggled to play in tough conditions at the venue.
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India's 2025 Home Season Schedule
8 years down the line, Devajit Saika, the BCCI secretary, has defended the board's decision to host the first Test in Delhi. He said that the BCCI decided after discussing it with all the stakeholders. He further said that pollution does not happen every year.
“We have considered all factors and have gone by the rotation policy after discussing it with everyone. The pollution issue doesn't happen every year,” Saikia told the Indian Express.
The DDCA Secretary, Ashok Sharma, assured that they will take all measures to ensure the player’s safety. He further said that the pollution levels in November will be slightly better than in December.
“The DDCA will take all measures possible to ensure players are comfortable when they play the Test match. Also, the Arun Jaitley Stadium is located in a relatively open area with more green area around. So the air quality is better than in most other areas. Delhi had not been allotted a Test match for a while. The BCCI allotted us the game, so we have to go by the calendar. In November, the pollution, if at all, is less compared to December,” said Ashok Kumar.
Delhi hosted the last Test against Australia in February 2023. However, the Test match against Sri Lanka in December 2017 turned out to be a controversial affair as the Sri Lankan players faced problems coping with the smog. They were seen playing with face masks and also complained that they had issues sighting the ball.
Also Read:Â ENG vs IND: India to Play Closed-Door Warm-Up Match Against India 'A' Ahead of First Test in Beckenham
