The five-match Test series between India and England will start next month. Team India's star spinner R Ashwin, however, may play a Test game before the Test series against England. After getting a working visa, R Ashwin might reportedly play a first-class match for England's county team Surrey.
If Ashwin gets his work visa on time, he can play in the county match for Surrey from July 11. Ashwin is currently on a break like rest of his team members. Ashwin has played county cricket in the past as well. He has played county cricket for Nottinghamshire and Worcestershire.
If Ashwin gets a work visa for Surrey's match against Somerset at The Oval, it could prove to be a good opportunity for him to practice on English soil before the Ind vs Eng Test series.
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Team India will also play a practice match
The fourth match of the India and England Test series will be played at The Oval. Reports claim that it is more or less confirmed that Ashwin will play a county match for Surrey, pending a formal announcement.
After losing the World Test Championship final against New Zealand, Indian captain Virat Kohli said that the team demanded a first-class match before the title match but, he is not aware as to why it did not happen.
India is expected to play practice match before the Test series against England. The England and Wales Cricket Board has already said that it plans to organize a warm-up match for India against the combined county team ahead of the Test series.