India vs Bangladesh 1st T20I to be shifted out of Gwalior in a Harakiri move by BCCI

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.

The first T20I match is scheduled to be played at the new stadium in Gwalior, the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium, on Sunday, October 6.

The India cricket team will return to action after a nearly month-long break. Rohit Sharma's team will play two Test matches against Bangladesh in the series in Chennai and Kanpur, starting on September 19. Following the Test series, Team India will play the three T20Is from October 6 to 12.

Rain Threat Looms Over India vs Bangladesh 1st T20I In Gwalior

The excitement for the first T20I match is overshadowed by the threat of rain, which may lead to a venue change.

As per a report by Sports Tak, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) is considering alternative venues. They remain hopeful that the weather will improve by October.

“It is raining in the whole MP, not just in Gwalior. We don’t know what the situation will be in October, but we are hoping that at the start of October, no rain should come as we get ready for this match. We have sent tickets to print and have arranged everything for this match,” a source said.

Earlier, the BCCI moved the first T20I venue from Dharamsala to Gwalior due to the upgrades and renovation work carried out by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association.

Gwalior last hosted an international match in 2010, where Sachin Tendulkar scored a historic ODI double hundred.

Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association Optimistic On Hosting First T20I

The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has acknowledged the possibility of shifting the first T20I match if necessary.

They are prepared for such a move if directed by the BCCI but added that rain should not be an issue in October based on current forecasts.

The report added that the MPCA has a good drainage system and is progressing as planned, with a committee meeting scheduled for September 19 to assess the situation and report to the BCCI.

“See as of now there’s time in hand it would be too early to comment on this but yes if required we have options open to shift the game if BCCI says so, this game has already been shifted from Dharmshala to us We don’t want to leave out the game," he said.

"See till September end there’s the forecast of rain but in October there’s no rain as of now so I don’t think there will be any issue.

"The problem is if rains come will be out of the stadium parking and other areas so to say, We have a good drainage system here as of now we are progressing as per plan On the 19th we have our committee meeting we evaluate the progress and will share our report to BCCI. I am again saying it will be BCCI’s decision, not ours’ as of now nothing to worry about.”

The first between India and Bangladesh will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai from September 19 to 23, and the second will take place at the Green Park in Kanpur from September 27 to October 1.

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