The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to change the venue for the first T20I of the upcoming three-match series against Bangladesh due to the potential for rain in Gwalior. This match is currently scheduled to take place on October 6 at the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior. However, recent weather forecasts indicate continuous rainfall across Madhya Pradesh, casting doubt over whether the match will be held at the designated location.
According to a report by Sports Tak, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) is considering the possibility of shifting the venue if weather conditions do not improve. Despite this, the MPCA remains optimistic that the weather will clear by the time of the match. A source from the association stated, “It is raining across Madhya Pradesh, not just in Gwalior. We don’t know what the weather will be like in October, but we are hoping for clear skies as we prepare for this match.”
Earlier, the BCCI had already moved the venue of the first T20I from Dharamsala to Gwalior due to renovation work being carried out by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. This made Gwalior the host city for its first international match since 2010, when Sachin Tendulkar made history by scoring the first-ever ODI double century. With such anticipation building for this match, the MPCA has been making preparations, including printing tickets and arranging logistics. However, the unpredictable weather has put a damper on the excitement.
The MPCA has assured that the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium has a robust drainage system in place, which could help alleviate the situation if there is moderate rainfall leading up to the match. Additionally, a meeting of the MPCA committee is scheduled for September 19 to assess the situation and submit a report to the BCCI. The MPCA has expressed confidence that the match can go ahead as planned if the weather clears, but they are also ready to shift the match if instructed by the BCCI.
The BCCI has a track record of making venue changes to ensure that matches are not affected by external factors, and this time is no exception. With the India cricket team returning to action after a month-long break, fans are eager to see Rohit Sharma’s side play against Bangladesh in the T20I series. The series will follow two Test matches between India and Bangladesh, which are scheduled to take place in Chennai and Kanpur.
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