India will play two Tests in Zimbabwe after participating in a one-day competition with the hosts and New Zealand in a month-long tour starting August 24. The Tests were added to the itinerary after the proposal was made by the Zimbabwe Cricket Union in May. Now, after the one-day series, India will loosen up for the longer format with a practice game before the Tests begin on September 13.

India last toured Zimbabwe in 2001 and won the first Test but lost the second, and this left Zimbabwe with a superior record, for they have won two of the four Tests played against India at home, and lost only one.

The one-day series will begin two days after the Afro-Asia Cup in South Africa, in which four Indians are likely to play. The Indian cricket board secretary, SK Nair, said that Rahul Dravid, Virender Sehwag, Anil Kumble and Irfan Pathan would join the rest of the team directly in Zimbabwe if they were selected.

The two Tests have added to a heavy workload which include the IndianOil Cup in Sri Lanka, the Afro-Asia Cup, the Super Series in Australia, home series against Sri Lanka and England, and a tour of Pakistan - all before the end of March.

Itinerary
Aug 24 Zimbawe-NZ, Queens Sports Club
Aug 26 India-NZ, Queens Sports Club
Aug 29 Zimbabwe-India, Harare Sports Club
Aug 31 Zimbabwe-NZ, Harare Sports Club
Sept 2 India-NZ, Harare Sports Club
Sept 4 Zimbabwe-India, Harare Sports Club
Sept 6 Final, Harare Sports Club
Sept 8-10 Warm-up, Mutare Sports Club
Sept 13-17 1st Test, Queens Sports Club
Sept 20-24 2nd Test, Harare Sports Club