The third Test match of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia is likely to be moved out of Dharamsala. This match is to be played from March 1 to March 5. However, the final decision regarding the venue will be taken by the Indian Cricket Board in the next few days.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Dharamshala may not be fit to host international cricket after the recent renovation; and the official board will take a final call based on the result of the inspection of the ground by the board’s team of experts. The Indian cricket board has already shortlisted a backup venue to replace Dharamsala, but the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) will make an announcement only after the stadium is out. The shortlisted locations include Pune, Visakhapatnam, Indore, and Rajkot.
The last time an international game was played in Dharamsala was in February last year during the T20I series between India and Sri Lanka. It is understood that the outfield is still not ready, and is interspersed with bald patches where grass cover is yet to form.
India on the top in the first Test
The HPCA Stadium is nestled in the Dhauladhar mountain range in the Middle Himalayas and 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.
Meanwhile, talking about the first Test match of the series, India have taken control over the Australian team with a huge lead of 223 runs. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma smashed an outstanding hundred. This was his 9th Test hundred and 1st as a Test captain. With this, he also became the first-ever Indian captain to score a hundred in all three formats.
Later, allrounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel hit magnificent half-centuries to help India achieve a 400-run mark. Axar was dismissed after scoring 84 runs while Jadeja smashed 70 runs. Mohammed Shami also played quickfire innings of 37 runs with 2 fours and 3 sixes.
