The third Test between India and Australia has been delayed due to uncertainty over its location.
The third Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test between India and Australia is slated for March 1-5, however, it may be moved from Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, because of concerns that the recently renovated stadium is not yet ready to host international matches. According to ESPNCricinfo, the board’s panel of specialists will conduct an inspection in the coming days and then make a final decision. If Dharamshala is deemed unsuitable for the match, the BCCI has identified many alternative locations, including Visakhapatnam, Rajkot, Pune, and Indore.
In February of 2018, India and Sri Lanka played two Twenty20 Internationals at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamshala. Since HPCA opted to rebuild the outfield and install a new drainage system, no cricket has been played there since. It’s understood that the outfield is not yet complete and features bare areas where the grass has not yet taken root.
According to new information, BCCI conducted an examination on February 3, but a second inspection is planned for this weekend before a final decision is made.
Whether or whether the outfield is secure and durable enough to hold a Test match will be determined by the inspection team. A thick layer of grass, as recommended by experts, is essential for the sand-based outfield.
The HPCA Stadium, which can be found in the Dhauladhar range of the Middle Himalayas, is a stunning location for sporting events. Before the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, it had recently hosted a first-class cricket match. It has only hosted one Test, which India won in four days to take the series 2-1 and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in 2016–17.
There has been a beginning of ticket sales for the next second Test, which will be held in Delhi beginning on February 17. Tickets for the last two Tests have not yet been made available. From March 9-13, the fourth Test will take place in Ahmedabad.
Presently, in Nagpur, India, the first Test is being played. At the close of play on day 2, India was 321/7, with Ravindra Jadeja (66 not out) and Axar Patel (52 not out) still at the crease. Despite the efforts of Jadeja (5/47) and the rest of the Indian bowling attack, Australia was only able to score 177 in their first innings against India. After the first inning, India is up by 144 runs.
