The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala was awarded the privilege to host the third Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia, but the BCCI believes the stadium may not be ready in time after recent renovations, according to The Indian Express.
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala is one of the world’s most beautiful venues. It last hosted a first-class game before the epidemic hit in early 2020. The venue held just one Test match, which happened to be during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s 2016-17 season. India won the series 2-1 after winning the game in four days.
The last international cricket games played at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala were twin T20 matches between India and Sri Lanka in February. There hasn’t been any cricket played at the site since then due to the association’s decision to repair the outfield and construct a new drainage system. It is also said that the outfield is still not ready, with bare places where grass cover has not yet developed itself.
The inspection committee will determine if the outfield is acceptable, secure, and strong enough to resist the damage caused by a Test match. According to experts, the outfield is sand-based, which necessitates a substantial grass cover.
Although ticket sales for the second Border Gavaskar Trophy Test, which will be contested at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi beginning February 17, have already begun, the BCCI has yet to announce the same for the last two Tests. The fourth Test is set to take place from March 9 to 13 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
