Mumbai, Ahmedabad set to get Tests against Lanka

Mumbai:

Mumbai and Ahmedabad, which were denied the chance to host Tests against England last year following the November 26 terror strike, are set to be allotted two out of three ties during the Sri Lanka tour of India in November-December.

The Cricket Board's Tour Programme and Fixtures Committee, headed by Lalit Modi, will meet in Delhi on October 9 to finalise the schedule of Lanka's visit as well as the tour by South Africa to this country early next year, according to BCCI sources.

Both the home rubbers would comprise a three-Test series and a five-match ODI contest.

The interesting point when the programme is announced is whether the famed Eden Gardens in Kolkata would get to host a Test match after two years.

The BCCI has cited its rotation formula for denying one of the most revered venues in the world from getting a chance to host a Test for the first time after the India-Pakistan match in November-December, 2007.

The 90,000-capacity stadium last hosted an ODI in February, 2007 when India clashed with Sri Lanka following the allotment of the tie to the Cricket Association of Bengal, which is currently headed by former BCCI and ICC Chief Jagmohan Dalmiya.