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Three of England's major cricketing venues, Lord's; Edgbaston and the Oval are eager and willing to host a Test series between arch-rival India and Pakistan. Both of these giants of world cricket haven't battled it out in a Test series since 2007 when India clinched the three-game series 1-0. But over these 17 years, India and Pakistan haven't faced one another with the red ball.
With constant conflict between the two nations, no bilateral series has taken place since 2012. Rather, both teams only face each other in ICC events, with the last being a league-stage clash during the ODI World Cup 2023. Recently when asked about the prospect of playing Test cricket against Pakistan, Indian captain Rohit Sharma expressed excitement towards the prospect.
Lord's, Edgbaston and the Oval ready to host IND-PAK Test series
Since these statements, several venues in England have put up their hand for a possible neutral India-Pakistan series. As per Telegraph Sport, representatives from Surrey and Warwicks have expressed eagerness to host an India-Pakistan Test in the future. Similarly, Lord’s would be keen to host an India-Pakistan Test match in the future, the report claimed.
“We would definitely be open to exploring that,” said Steve Elworthy, Surrey’s chief executive. Further chief executive of Warwickshire, Stuart Cain believes a possible series between India and Pakistan would benefit cricket at Edgbaston. “We’d be hugely supportive of the proposal,” he said. “It would be fantastic for the region and the many Pakistan and India fans who live in the West Midlands.”
It’ll be a great contest: Rohit on possible India-Pakistan Test series
Talking about the prospect of playing in an India-Pakistan Test series, especially in overseas conditions, Rohit Sharma voiced his excitement. During his appearance on the Club Prairie Fire podcast last week, the Indian captain said, “It’ll be a good contest especially if you play overseas conditions. They’re a good team. They have got a superb bowling line-up."
“At the end of the day, we want to be in contest and I think it will be a great contest between the two sides. We anyway play them in ICC trophies, so it doesn’t really matter. It’s just pure cricket that I’m looking at. I’m not interested in anything else. It’s pure cricket, game between bat and ball. It’ll be a great contest,” he continued.