India will take on Derbyshire and Northamptonshire in two T20 warm-up fixtures ahead of their white-ball series against England in July.
The two matches will be played against on July 1 and 3 respectively. However, both the games will clash with the postponed fifth and final Test between India and England, which was suspended due to a Covid-19 outbreak last year.
The Test, which was called off after Covid-19 cases were reported in the Indian contingent, will be held from July 1-5 at Edgbaston, Birmingham. India lead the series 2-1.
"India will travel to The Incora County Ground to face Derbyshire in a Twenty20 Tour Fixture on Friday 1 July (7pm start). The number-one ranked T20 side in the world will continue their ICC Twenty20 World Cup preparations against a Derbyshire side," Derbyshire announced on its website.
"Northamptonshire will welcome India to Wantage Road this summer for a one-off T20 tour match," Northamptonshire wrote.
The first practice match is slated to be played at the Incora County Ground in Derby, while the second game will be held at the County Ground in Northampton. India and England are scheduled to play three T20Is, starting July 7, before taking on each other in as many ODIs from July 12.
The impact of COVID-19 has reduced the number of tour matches in recent years and the intensity of the global cricketing calendar has shortened the length of the tours. Hence, it's a financial lifeline for Derbyshire and Northamptonshire as they haven't had the opportunity to host international men's teams and The Hundred fixtures.
The likes of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja are likely to be part of the leg. Hardik Pandya, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishan Kishan, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Mohammed Shami are also expected to be part of the squad.
India are also slated to play Ireland in two T20Is, on June 26 and 28, respectively.
