Red Dot cricket tours | South India cricket tour

South India Cricket Tour

Introduction

No cricketing CV is complete until you have experienced the sport in India. India stirs and blurs the senses with a riot of noise and colour. Cricket is such big business here that India accounts for 70 per cent of world cricket income. The game is adored. Amid all this excitement and unpredictability a reliable India tour must be the outcome. That needs careful planning and excellent on-the-ground support. Very few touring teams tackle a tour of Southern India, but thanks to Red Dot’s cricketing connections we have opened up this region to school, university and club teams. This tour is designed specifically for schools and takes you to the first-class venues of Bangalore, Mysore and Chennai as well as offering a host of excursion options. It can be adapted for club sides or to suit a range of cricketing abilities or budgets. Be prepared: India tours tend to be more expensive than their Sri Lankan equivalents due to the success of the Indian economy.

Depart: Fly either Jet Airways or SriLankan Airlines via Mumbai to Bangalore, one of India’s brightest cities, and one at the heart of their technological revolution. (Note: If you opt for a tour combining India and Sri Lanka, we recommend that you opt for SriLankan Airlines).

Holiday Highlights

	Play cricket at two of India’s most renowned Test arenas
	Beach cricket on India’s less developed east coast
	Explore India’s rich heritage in Mysore, the city of palaces
	Spend some time at the unique Jains School
	Rewarding interaction with one of India’s street children projects
	Search for the elusive tiger Choice of four additional excursions or stopovers
	Explore Goa’s beachlife
	Visit the thriving commercial port of Mumbai
	Head north to Jaipur and the Taj Mahal
	Stopover on Sri Lankan beaches or Colombo


Day 1 & 2: BangaloreArrive at Bangalore International Airport and transfer to the Karnataka State Cricket Authority Club (KCSA) situated at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore’s Test arena and home to India’s premier cricket academy. On either the first or second night have a welcoming dinner at the KCSA Club. The rest of the first two days of your tour can be spent exploring Bangalore, using the club’s superb facilities in preparation for the matches ahead or simply relaxing by the pool. Accommodation Profile: The KCSA Club is in the heart of Bangalore and within walking distance of the city’s shopping centres, cafes and restaurants. It regularly hosts touring teams and its comfortable, well-equipped double rooms make for a comfortable and cost-efficient stay in Bangalore. The rooms are all ensuite with hot and cold water, cable TV and are serviced daily by KCSA staff. As well as the rooms, the club has a good restaurant, gym and swimming pool. The accommodation is subject to availability as many cricket teams use the club if playing in the area or using the National Academy.
Day 3: MATCH 1: This is what the tour is all about: your opening match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium against a Bangalore school side. The imposing stadium and the team’s first taste of cricket in India will be inspirational and hopefully the tour can be kicked off with a win. If the ground is not available – and in India, no matter what safeguards you take, you can never be 100 per cent certain – we have other good fall-back options.
Day 4Early in the day escape the hustle and bustle of Bangalore and take an hour’s drive to the Jains International Residential School (JIRS). Built on the principles of the Jain movement – which teaches the value of a life of self-discipline and compassion -- this is a most welcoming school with world-class facilities. En route to JIRS spend a morning with a Karnataka community centre. A simple game of softball cricket would be enough to put a beaming smile across the face of these less privileged children. In the evening enjoy the hospitality of JIRS, and sample some of the school’s fantastic facilities. Accommodation Profile: Jains International Residential School is a one hour drive out of Bangalore, and a welcome relief from the clamour of the city. Founded on the principles of the Jain movement, the school has the facilities to place its very own Olympic bid! India and England A have taken advantage of the schools peaceful location and first class facilities, holding training camps here. The school is not only keen for fixtures against touring teams, they are also interested in establishing links with schools outside of India. We can also arrange for other local teams to play at the school and there is the potential for triangular tournaments and coaching clinics. The accommodation at the school matches the sports facilities for high standards and for evening entertainment there are bowling alleys, swimming pools and a host of other facilities to keep you entertained.
Day 5: MATCH 2:Today you may take on the JIRS XI on their immaculate pitch. A ven ue used by India and England ‘A’ during off-season training camps. The evening will present another opportunity to enjoy the school’s facilities alongside the JIRS students. Day 6: MATCH 3: Same venue, different opposition. This time the local SBMJ College Junior XI may make the trip to JIRS. After the game enjoy your final evening on the JIRS campus and a farewell dinner.
Day 7An early start and three-hour drive to the ancient city of Mysore, 90 miles southwest of Bangalore and famo us for its rich heritage, magnificent palaces and cultural commitment. Avoid the tourist crush for the Dasara festival in late September/October. The afternoon can be spent exploring the numerous palaces and temples with a local expert. Have supper in the opulent surroundings of the Lalitha Mahal Palace’s palatial banquet hall. Accommodation Profile: The Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel holds a commanding position overlooking Mysore. It was built by the Maharaja of Mysore, and staying here is a unique experience of living in the ‘days of the Raj.’ There is a swimming pool and tennis court as well as your own ballroom
Day 8: MATCH 4:Today you will take on a Mysore schoolboy XI at the lovely, but somewhat space age, Infosys Ground. The evening will present an opportunity to explore the hectic Mysorian markets. Enjoy a delicious curry at the Park Lane Hotel. The restaurant is not as swanky as the name suggests, but the food and live music is popular with travelers and locals alike.
Day 9A crack of dawn wake up, to take the journey deep into the Karnataka jungle. You will spend the day in Nagarhole National Park viewing elephant and searching for the elusive tiger – now, thanks to poaching, sadly more elusive than ever. All conservation attempts are worthy of support. The night’s accommodation will be spent in a Jungle Lodge. Accommodation Profile: There are numerous lodges to stay at on your visit into the Karnataka Jungle. Red Dot would recommend Jungle Lodges Resort, Kabini, a stylish and exceptionally well run property. Despite its rustic jungle setting the Lodge does not cut corners in luxury and service.
Day 10Travelling days are unavoidable in India, but they are all part of the enriching experience. The team makes its way into Tamil Nadu and cricket-crazed Chennai (formerly known as Madras). A train journey is the most comfortable option and a worthwhile experience. The railway takes you through the southern state of Tamil Nadu and offers a fascinating insight into rural Indian life. Chennai offers a stark contrast; the city is an assault on the senses, the heat and noise will all shock the senses. Accommodation Profile: Accommodation options in Chennai are somewhat uninspiring or very expensive. For this reason 1 night in Chennai before escaping to the coast is the recommended option. The 4 star Ambassador Pallava is one of Chennai’s most practical hotel and offers good value. Its proximity to the M A Chidambaram Stadium and the large gym and swimming pool make it particularly appealing for a touring team. *Note: You may chose to replace Days 11-14 with one of our excursion options.*
Day 11: MATCH 5: A match against a local team at the world famous M A Chidambaram Stadium, venue of the second tied Test between Australia and India, will be a great way to get a taste for Chennai’s rich cricketing history. After the game, enjoy some refreshments on the Madras Cricket Club verandah that overlooks the pitch. This is a historic club and boasts many a famous cricketer in its membership list, including Nasser Hussain as a youngster. Escape the city to stay at the glorious Ideal Beach Resort. Accommodation Profile: The Ideal Beach Resort is a great place to unwind following your tour. The chalets are a stone’s throw from the beach, and the swimming pool provides an alternative venue for sun lounging and relaxation. The staff are friendly and efficient, as well as keen cricketers. The resort is close to Chennai and Mayajaal S. C. as well as the ancient ruins of Mamabalaparam.
Day 12A free day to rest and recover after cricketing heroics the previous day, and no where better than by the Bay of Bengal or swimming pool at Ideal Beach Resort. If feeling up to it, some could also explore the ancient ruins at nearby Mamabalaparam. There are a host of other options to keep you entertained while staying in this area. A trip to the renowned nearby Crocodile Bank is well worth it. As the name suggests, hundreds of crocodiles are housed here, but the main attraction is the snake catchers showing off their talents in handling and milking the local cobras.
Day 13: MATCH 6To be played at the Mayajaal Sports Club a short drive from your accommodation. The pitch is in great condition and the pavilion well equipped. The star attraction however, is the pool from which the fast bowlers can relax while watching the batsman toil in the sun! After the game refreshments will be laid at the Mayajaal complex in their amazing jungle theme bar and beside the swimming pool. Day 14: A free day before flying back to UK. Another match at Mayajaal S.C. is an option. Alternatively the beautiful beach is on your doorstep. In the evening enjoy an end of tour dinner at the enchanting beachside Wharf Restaurant. Day 15: Fly from Chennai to London

Package price includes:

	Return economy flight (inclusive of all taxes)
	14 night’s accommodation on twin-sharing basis
	Breakfast at all hotels
	Air-conditioned coach for duration of the tour
	Match costs including venue hire, umpires, packed lunches and water
	Full-time cricket liaison officer for tour duration Notes
	Buffet lunches at games can be organized on request
	Accommodation can be booked on half or full board, cost on request
	5 litres of water per player will be purchased per game
	Venues are subject to change at the last-minute due to first class and international commitments
	Tour clothing can be organized, on request