Third Test between India and Australia shifted from Dharamshala

The third Test match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Test series between India and Australia has been shifted from Dharamshala.

 The match, scheduled to start on March 1, will now take place at some other venue. 

The BCCI is discussing possible venues for the third Test. An announcement in this regard is expected soon.

As per sources, Indore, Rajkot, Vishakhapatnam and Mumbai are some of the venues being considered for the third Test match at the moment. 

HPCA has undertaken massive construction of the Dharamshala stadium. The entire outfield and pitch area was re-laid keeping the extreme weather conditions in mind. 

While most of the work has been finished, the surface and outfield area are yet to be tested. The small patch near the square is yet to be completed and that is the main cause of worry. Under the circumstances, BCCI didn’t want to take a chance with an important international fixture.

“There is very little time to test the conditions at the stadium. We don’t want to take any more chances. The third Test will be shifted out of Dharamsala and decision regarding the new venue will be taken soon,” said a BCCI official.

Dharamshala is one of the most picturesque venues in world cricket. However, the stadium has hosted only one Test in 2017 between India and Australia. 
Notably, Australia suffered a humiliating loss against India in the recently-concluded first Test match in Nagpur.