Dharamsala: Team India is now getting ready for a test match series with the Border – Gavaskar Trophy against Australia in February-March in India .This test series will include four tests which will be played across India in Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamshala and Ahmedabad.
The third test of this series is being staged from 1st March to 5th March at HPCA stadium in Dharamsala .
This shall be the second test being organized in this most scenic stadium of India and on this second occasion too India and Australia are the competitors. From 1 st to 5 th March this year the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium shall will host its 2nd test in this venue and interestingly it staged its first test from 25 to 29 March in 2017 too between India and Australia, which India won by 8 wickets. (Scores Australia 300 &137, India 332 &106/2. Ravindra Jadeja was the man of the match).
Australia have almost qualified for the ICC World test championship Final to be played in June this year with 136 points and India can book its final seat too after this upcoming 4 tests Border -Gavaskar Trophy 2023. That is why this series is being looked as a very important test series.
The entire outfield has been relayed here to give more clearance from weather disturbance. The HPCA President R P Singh said that in case of rain the entire ground shall now be ready within 20 minutes after the rain stoppage for the resumption of play.
He added that HPCA adopted European technology Sub Air to dry the field quickly after rain during the match. With this technique, the field will be ready for play again in 15 to 20 minutes after the rain stops. “Dharamshala Cricket Stadium becomes the second cricket ground in India to adopt this technology. Earlier this technique was followed in Bengaluru,” said Singh.
Singh also informed,” The venue is the first in India to use winter rye grass scattered around the outfield, which prevents the grass from dying when temperatures fall below 10 degrees. With it the outfield of the stadium will look lush green throughout the year.”
Beside this the HPCA will also conduct special prayers in February at Indrunag Temple Khaniyara,( the local rain deity), to ensure that rain does not become a hindrance during the match.
It is to remind that two matches between India and South Africa were abandoned here without a ball being bowled due to incessant rain here in September 2019 and March 2020
HPCA Secretary Avneesh Parmar said that for the upcoming test match in Dharamsala, both the teams will reach Dharamshala on 25th February. Both the teams will take part in practice sessions on February 26, 27 and 28. A target has been set by the HPCA to prepare the ground ok for this match by February 15.
HPCA spokes person said that the spectators capacity of the most beautiful ground in India has also being increased from 23000 to 25000 plus. The snow laden Dhouladhar mountains add to the serenity of this venue.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
