Ranchi, Oct 19 (IANS): Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the Indian team in the first match to be played at the newly constructed international-standard cricket stadium in his hometown on Jan 19 against England.

The stadium will be formally inaugurated Jan 17 in presence of the Indian and England teams.

"ICC has given it's green signal to hold one-day matches in Ranchi" Amitabh Chaudhary, president of Jharkhand State Cricket Association(JSCA) told reporters.

The ICC three weeks ago had sent a team under David Boon to inspect the stadium and according to Chaudhary, the former Australian cricketer was happy with the state of affairs.

"In India no stadium has arrangements to sit on the grass. In the Ranchi stadium this arrangement has been made which is comparable to some of the foreign countries," a JSCA official told IANS.

The people of Ranchi are excited about the match.

"We are thrilled to know that the India will play against England in Ranchi under the captaincy of Dhoni. Dhoni is proud of Ranchi and it will be heartening to watch our home town hero playing here," said Priti, a student of St. Xavier's college.