Mumbai, New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore will host the one-day internationals against South Africa in November, soon after Sri Lanka finishes its one-day series in India.

According to Indian cricket board sources, the first part of the split tour by Sri Lanka will be played between Oct 25 and Nov 12. The team would return to play the three Tests even before the South African side leaves the country.

"The dates of the one-day and Test series against Sri Lanka, the ODI series against South Africa and England's tour of India have been finalised, but the venues are still to be determined," a source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told.

India's other engagements in the 2005-06 season involves the tour to Pakistan for a Test and ODI series besides the Asia Cup, a home series against England immediately after the Asia Cup and a tour of the West Indies, comprising five Tests and seven ODIs, the source said.

The five one-day internationals against South Africa will be played at Mumbai (Nov 17), New Delhi (Nov 20), Kolkata (Nov 23), Chennai (Nov 26) and Bangalore (Nov 29).

India will tour Pakistan for three Tests and five ODIs, from Jan 2 to Feb 11, and the Asia Cup, also in Pakistan, from Feb 14 to 28.

"The dates for the seven one-day internationals against Sri Lanka are: Oct 25, Oct 28, Oct 31, Nov 3, Nov 6, Nov 9 and Nov 12," said the official.

The Sri Lankans will then return home and be back in India within 13 days for the Test series.

"The Sri Lankans will play a three-day game - most probably against either the BCCI Board President's XI or the Ranji Trophy champions Railways Nov 26-28 while the Tests will be played Dec 2-6, Dec 10-14 and Dec 18-22," the source said.

"The venues are yet to be finalised, but they will be allotted as per the rotation policy of the board," he added.

The itinerary of India's tour to Pakistan is being negotiated between the two boards. The Jagmohan Dalmiya-headed Asian Cricket Council will finalise the Asia Cup fixtures.

The dates of the home series against England have also been finalised, but the venues are yet to be chosen as the BCCI is still in talks with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over the issue.

England begins its 57-day tour with two three-day side matches, to be played Feb 25-27 and March 2-4.

"The three Tests will be played between March 8-12, March 16-20 and March 25-29," said the BCCI official.

"It will play a warm-up limited overs game April 1 before the ODI series. The one-day internationals will be played April 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19 and 22.

"The itinerary of India's tour of the West Indies is also yet to be finalised, but it has been confirmed there will be five Tests and seven one-day internationals besides a few warm-up matches."