India and England last played a five-Test series in 1984/85

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

England will kick off their two-part tour of India with a five-Test series on November 9 in Rajkot, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has announced.

The five-Test series will conclude on December 20 and England will return in mid-January for the limited overs portion of the tour, which will consist of three ODIs and the same number of Twenty20 Internationals.

India captain Virat Kohli is excited about the upcoming series, but made it clear that his side will not let their guard down even though they are playing on home soil.

“This is going to be a fierce and competitive series,” Kohli said. “England is one of the better sides in the world, and we can expect some high quality cricket from both sides.”

India head coach Anil Kumble was pleased to see the two sides involved in a five-Test series as it hasn’t happened since 1984/85.

“To be involved in a five-Test series against England is quite exciting,” he said. “I’ve had fierce battles against them in the past, and I’m looking forward to this.”

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) director of cricket Andrew Strauss echoed Kumble’s sentiments and added that he is hoping England can emerge victorious, like they did when they beat India 2-1 in their last Test series in November-December 2012.

“It’s a great opportunity for Alastair Cook and his players to repeat the memorable Test series win we enjoyed on our last trip to India in 2012,” he said. “Equally, Eoin Morgan’s white-ball squad will be anticipating hard-fought and competitive encounters against high quality opposition in both formats – with the one-day series providing excellent preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy to come at home later in the summer of 2017.”