India still hopeful of hosting England after Sourav Ganguly declaration: "That’s where the heart is"

The BCCI chief believes the Tests, scheduled for January-March, do not have to be moved to the United Arab Emirates

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Sourav Ganguly insists India can still host the Test series against England in early 2021 despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Virat Kohli and Joe Root's sides are due to face-off in five Tests between January and March next year.

But with India the second worst-hit country in terms of cases of COVID-19, there are concerns over whether the matches can take place.

The ongoing Indian Premier League has already been moved to the United Arab Emirates, while the domestic campaign is yet to get underway.

UAE has been mooted as a possible venue for the tour, which could yet include the postponed white-ball matches between the two nations.

Ganguly has been confident throughout that India can host the matches, and he reiterated that stance while speaking to the media.

The 48-year-old said the "priority is to make this happen in India. We will try to make this happen on Indian grounds. The advantage in UAE is they have three stadiums."

Addressing whether India is capable of creating the conditions for the matches to be staged, the former left-hander added: "We also have the same facility in Mumbai -- CCI, Wankhede and DY Patil. We also have Eden Gardens. We have to create a bubble. We want to hold our cricket in India, that’s where the game is, that’s where the heart is. But we are monitoring the COVID situation.

"Everything is fluid. It’s been hard for the last six months to keep everything in order. You want your cricket to happen. You want lives to get back to normal, there are players involved. But you also want to have a close look at the COVID situation."

Following the conclusion of the IPL, India are due to travel to Australia for a four-Test series and three one-day internationals, though the schedule has not yet been revealed.

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