India vs Australia 2019: Delhi, Mohali ODIs To Go Ahead As Scheduled

CK Khanna, the acting president of the BCCI, has confirmed that there are no plans to shift the venue of the final two ODIs between India and Australia. Both the games were scheduled to be held in Mohali and Delhi on March 10 and 13 respectively. With the political tension between India and Pakistan escalating in the wake of the Pulwama attack, there were huge doubts over the game due to security reasons.

Mohali’s stadium that shares land with the Indian Air Force base. The ground is also located directly in its flight path. Being one of the most unique grounds across the landscape, Mohali possesses the shortest light towers in India; probably 18 of those – which could disrupt the base camp’s activities. There were also reports that the game in the national capital could also be shifted. Later reports suggested that Bengaluru and Kolkata have been identified as the possible alternate venues. Saurashtra had also offered to host one of the games in Rajkot in case a change of plans was necessary.

However, Khanna has now confirmed there is no such development and also stated that both the games will be held as per scheduled.

“There is certainly no such plan to shift any of the games from their original venues,” said Khanna. “I can confirm that both ODIs in Mohali and Delhi are happening as per our schedule.”

Speaking about backup in case of an emergency, Khanna said:

“As far as a backup venue is concerned, the BCCI always has alternate arrangements in place in case a venue expresses its inability to host a game. It was nice of Saurashtra to put their hand up, but as of now, it won’t be necessary.”

The five-match ODI series, meanwhile, will start on March 2 at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad. The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium (Jamtha) in Nagpur will host the second ODI on the 5th.

The third ODI will take place at the JSCA International Stadium Complex in Ranchi on March 8 before the teams move to Mohali and Delhi. India will be looking to win the series after losing the T20Is.