IND v AUS: Third Test shifted to Indore from Dharamsala

Feb 14, 2023

IND v AUS: Third Test shifted to Indore from Dharamsala Image

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Monday that the third Test between India and Australia in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy series has been moved from Dharamshala's HPCA Stadium to Indore's Holkar Stadium.

The third Test is scheduled for March 1 to March 5.

"Due to the region's harsh winter conditions, the outfield lacks sufficient grass density and will require some time to develop fully," the BCCI said in a statement on Monday.

The entire outfield, including the pitch, had been relaid by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA). The game has been moved due to issues with the resurfaced pitch at HPCA Stadium.

In 2017, Dharamshala hosted its only Test. That game, incidentally, was also played between India and Australia.

The Holkar Cricket Stadium has previously hosted two Tests against New Zealand and Bangladesh, both of which India won by massive margins.

India has a strong track record at Indore's Holkar Stadium. In 2016, the home team thrashed Bangladesh by 321 runs before thrashing New Zealand by an innings and 130 runs in 2019.

After a convincing victory over Australia in Nagpur, India now leads the series 1-0.

The first Test in Nagpur was called off after three days because the Australian batters were unable to deal with the spin duo of Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, who claimed 15 of the 20 wickets.

The visitors scored 177 in the first innings after winning the toss and electing to bat. India bowled out Australia for 91 91 in the second innings in a single session to win the Test by an innings and 132 runs after stretching their lead to over 200 runs.

Jadeja was named Player of the Match after bowling 7-81 and scoring 70 runs with the willow.

Following a crushing defeat in the first Test, Australia will look to retaliate in Delhi for the second match, which will begin on Friday at Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Australia is currently on top of the ICC World Test Championship standings and need to avoid a 4-0 whitewash to India to ensure they reach June's final at The Oval.

The schedule for the remaining three Tests is as below:

February 17-21: 2nd Test, New Delhi

March 1-5: 3rd Test, Indore

March 9-13: 4th Test, Ahmedabad.