IND vs AUS 3rd Test: IND AUS Dharamshala Test – There will be no picturesque mountain backdrop for 3rd Border Gavaskar Trophy Test. BCCI is shifting the 3rd Test out of HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala which starts on March 1. A decision on the new venue will be taken in the next 48 hours. Rajkot and Indore have emerged as new alternatives. Dharamshala stadium is under renovation following heavy damages due to rain. But with just little over two weeks left in the match, the venue will not be ready to host the match. The main point in contention is the outfield which will need at least a month to be of international standard. Follow India vs Australia LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
“The third Test of the Mastercard Australia tour of India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, originally scheduled to take place at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala from 1st to 5th March has now been moved to Holkar Stadium, Indore. Owing to harsh winter conditions in the region, the outfield lacks sufficient grass density and will need some time to develop fully,” BCCI confirmed in an official statement on Monday.
IND vs AUS 3rd Test: It’s official, Indore to host 3rd Border Gavaskar Trophy Test, as Dharamshala deemed UNFIT, Follow LIVE Updates
Since renovation works began for the ICC World Cup 2023, the ground has not hosted any international matches. It was last year in February when Dharamshala hosted India vs SriLanka T20 match.
HPCA decided to relay the outfield and install a new drainage system. However, the outfield is still not ready and is interspersed with bald patches where the grass cover has not taken hold yet especially due to winter.
When BCCI carried out an inspection on Feb 3, officials expressed dissatisfaction towards the state of the venue. Not just the outfield but some work is still pending in the stands and media room among others. While that can be made ready by March 1, the outfield unfortunately won’t be.
“It is unfortunate that Dharamshala won’t be able to host the Test. But once the work is complete, we will try to have some matches there before the World Cup. As for 3rd Test, Mohali is ready to host a Test and we have some options in Vizag, Indore and Pune. We will make the announcement after speaking to the stakeholders,” the BCCI official added.
The HPCA Stadium is nestled in Dhauladhar mountain range in the Middle Himalayas, is a highly scenic venue in the sport. It last hosted first-class cricket just before the COVID-19 pandemic descended in early 2020. It has hosted just one Test in the 2016-17 edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which India won in four days to win the series 2-1.
While ticket sales have started for the Delhi Test which starts February 17, BCCI has not released tickets for the last two Tests due to uncertainty over the 3rd Test. Ahmedabad’s iconic Narendra Modi Stadium will host the fourth and final Test from March 9 to 13.
IND vs AUS 3rd Test: It’s official, Indore to host 3rd Border Gavaskar Trophy Test, as Dharamshala deemed UNFIT, Follow LIVE Updates
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