The third Test of the Border-Gavaskar series has been moved to Indore’s Holkar Stadium with the venue in Dharamsala deemed unfit to host the occasion.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium has been stripped of the match due to the poor condition of the outfield, which has several bare patches having been recently re-laid.
“Owing to harsh winter conditions in the region, the outfield lacks sufficient grass density and will need some time to develop fully,” the BCCI said in a statement.
In a series full of blows already, it’s yet another for Australia given it was the venue that was best-suited to fast bowling.
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The fourth Test of Australia’s 2017 visit was held at Dharamsala, and pace proved to have a greater influence with Indian quick Umesh Yadav dominating with the new ball in the second innings.
Smith later described in his autobiography The Journey that the pitch was the “best of the lot”, offering some pace and bounce.
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The news came hours after Australia was dealt another blow on the tour with the Nagpur wicket watered down immediately after the first Test despite requests for the pitch to be made available for the visitors’ training.
India has played two Test matches at Holkar Stadium, defeating New Zealand by 321 runs in 2016 and Bangladesh by an innings at 130 runs in 2019.
Veteran off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has taken 18 wickets at 12.50 in Indore.
India can retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy before teams even play the third Test having won the first match in Nagpur by an innings.
