Uncertainty continues over the venue for the 4th T20I between India and Australia originally scheduled at the VCA Stadium Nagpur on 1st December with CricketNext reliably learning that the match could be moved to the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur.
“A part of the ground is under renovation with some drainage issue being addressed and the ground may not be ready in time for the T20I game,” a source close to the developments told this website.
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However, Vidarbha Cricket Association CEO Dastoor Farokh told CricketNext that there is no confirmation from the BCCI over the venue change and even though renovation work is underway at the moment, it is expected to be finished in the next 3-4 days.
“Yes, there is a bit of renovation work undertaken over the north stand area where there was a drainage issue. It will be finished in the next 3-4 days. However, we have received no confirmation from BCCI about the venue change. You can also check the BCCI website, and it says the 4th T20I is here in Nagpur. So no change so far,” said Farokh.
Raipur in Preparation
Though any official statement is yet to be made, the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association (CSCS) is prepared to host the game if it gets moved to Raipur. A source privy to the developments told Cricketnext that it’s a possibility that the capital city of Chhattisgarh might be the preferred venue for the 4th T20I.
“No confirmation from the BCCI as of yet but there are chances that Raipur could be the preferred venue if the game is indeed moved,” sources told Cricketnext, adding, “We are capable enough to host an international game on any given day. Even if we get the nod today, we can conduct the match tomorrow.”
“An official confirmation is expected anytime next week,” the source added.
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium will host its second international fixture if the encounter between India and Australia moves to Raipur. Earlier in January, India met New Zealand in what was the 2nd ODI of a 3-match series. India won the game by eight wickets after bundling out New Zealand for a paltry 108 in just 34.3 overs. Skipper Rohit Sharma scored 51 off 50 while Shubman Gill returned unbeaten on 40 off 53.
Also known as Naya Raipur International Cricket Stadium, it is the third largest venue in India, and fourth-largest in the world, with a seating capacity of 65,000.
Nagpur, on the other hand, had missed out on the ongoing ICC Cricket World Cup matches and the last international game hosted at Jamtha was the first India vs Australia Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in February earlier this year. India had beaten Australia in under three days by an innings and 132 runs.
5th T20I could be moved from Hyderabad to Bengaluru
There is also a possibility that the 5th T20I scheduled to be at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal could also be moved to Bengaluru, owing to the match clashing with the Election counting day in the state.
“The counting of votes in Telangana is on the same day as the match and the police will not be able to provide security for the match due to the upcoming elections. So HCA won’t be hosting the game,” said a source.
CricketNext reached out to KSCA (Karnataka State Cricket Association) to confirm whether the game will be moved to Bengaluru, but a KSCA official told this website there is no confirmation from the BCCI as of yet, and the board is still exploring options.
Australia’s T20I series against India starts on 23rd November with the first T20I in Vizag with the second and third scheduled at Trivandrum and Guwahati on the 26th and 28th. The fifth T20I, originally scheduled at Hyderabad could be moved to Bengaluru.
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