Ranchi could lose its hosting rights for the fourth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, according to Jagran News. The five-match series is scheduled to take place from January 21 to February 27, but concerns over early sunsets in Ranchi have prompted the BCCI to reconsider the venue.
Notably, the original schedule had Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Ahmedabad as the five venues for the series. However, the Indian team management has raised concerns about the limited daylight in eastern India during January and February, with poor visibility potentially affecting playing time.
Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad and Rajkot Emerge as Alternatives to Ranchi
The potential change in venue is mainly linked to Ranchi’s early sunset during January and February. The Indian team management has raised concerns with the BCCI that limited daylight could lead to early stumps and reduce playing time during the fourth Test.
According to Jagran News, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, and Rajkot are being considered as possible replacements for Ranchi. However, the BCCI has not taken a final decision on the venue change.
The team management has also raised concerns about the conditions in Ranchi during winter. The cold weather could make pitch preparation more difficult, with the management keen to ensure a surface that remains suitable for five days of Test cricket.
The proposed five-match Test series is scheduled to begin on January 21. Nagpur is set to host the first Test, followed by Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi, and Ahmedabad.
Guwahati Likely to Retain Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test Despite Early Sunset
The concerns over limited daylight also apply to Guwahati, which is scheduled to host the third Test. The Assam venue is located further east than Ranchi and can also experience an early sunset during the winter months.
However, there are currently no plans to move the Guwahati Test. The match is expected to remain at the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium, with a possible change to the start time being considered to make better use of the available daylight.
The match could begin around 30 minutes earlier than the usual start time for a Test in India. This would give both teams more time to play before the loss of natural light later in the day.
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia is from Assam, but there is no indication that his background is the reason for Guwahati retaining the match. The reported proposal is focused on adjusting the timing rather than moving the Test to another venue.
India’s WTC Qualification Hopes Add Importance to Venue Decision
India’s venue discussions come with the team still competing for a place in the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) Final. India are currently at fifth in the standings with 68 points and a 51.52% points percentage, while Australia are at the top with 96 points and an 80% points percentage.
India recently won the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle by 165 runs but could not complete a series sweep. Sri Lanka fought back on the final day of the second Test in Colombo to secure a draw.
India have won five of their 11 Tests in the current WTC cycle and will need to maintain a strong points percentage in their remaining matches. The top two teams will qualify for the final at The Oval in London, scheduled for June 9-13, 2027.
Also read: India A squads vs Australia A: Hardik Pandya returns, Rajat Patidar IN
