India to play three Tests in Lanka

India will play three Tests during its 50-day tour of Sri Lanka, apart from a tri-series, involving New Zealand as the third team, from July 15 to September 2.

The Tests, the venues for which are yet to be decided, will be held at the fag end of the series, with the first Test to be played from August 13 to 17. The second will be played from August 21 to 25 while the final Test is from August 29 to September 2, a Board of Control for Cricket in India statement said on Monday.

The Indians will also play a three-day match, from August 8 to 10, after arriving in Colombo on July 15.

The tri-series kicks off with the hosts taking on New Zealand on July 18. The Indians will play their first match against the Kiwis the following day, with the final slated on August 4. There are as many as nine league matches before the final, the statement said.

The Indian team will embark on the Lankan tour after the Zimbabwe trip from May 28 to July 7.

The itinerary: (venues yet to be decided)

July 15: Arrival at Colombo.
July 18: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand (tri-series).
July 19: India vs New Zealand.
July 21: Sri Lanka vs India.
July 24: Sri Lanka vs New Zealand.
July 25: Sri Lanka vs India.
July 26: India vs New Zealand.

The Tests:
First Test: August 13 to 17.
Second Test: August 21 to 25
Third Test: August 29 to September 2.

Mail Cricket Editor