India to play New Zealand, Bangladesh ahead of Champions Trophy

Indian skipper Virat Kohli (C) (Photo: AFP)


The Virat Kohli-led Indian cricket team will be facing New Zealand and Bangladesh in warm-up matches ahead of the Champions Trophy to be held in England on June 1-18.

The Oval will host both the matches, where India will first take on New Zealand on May 28, and Bangladesh on May 30.

“We will play two practice matches against India and Pakistan before the tournament starts,” Bangladesh Cricket Boards operations committee chairman Akram Khan stated as quoted by the Bangladeshi media.

Bangladesh are set to feature in the Champions Trophy after a leap of 11 years. 

Their last appearance was in the 2006 edition of the 50-over tournament, that India hosted but Australia were crowned champions in the end.

Team India, who will enter the tournament as defending champions, have won the Champions Trophy twice in 2002 and 2013.