Rain-hit Dharamsala outfield forces India A-Australia A fixture shift

The only red-ball fixture between India A Women and Australia A Women has been shifted from Dharamsala to Mohali due to prolonged rainfall and prevailing ground conditions. The multi-day match will be played from September 29 to October 2 at PCA IS Bindra Stadium

New Delhi: The only red-ball fixture between India A Women and Australia A Women, beginning on September 29, has been shifted to Mohali from Dharamsala after prolonged rainfall damaged the outfield at the scenic stadium, the BCCI said on Wednesday.

The series, comprising three T20s, three one-dayers and one red-ball fixture, began on September 12. All matches have been played in Mohali across the new and old stadiums so far.

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“The multi-day fixture between India A Women and Australia A Women, scheduled to be played from September 29 to October 2, 2026, has been shifted from Dharamsala to Mohali.

“The venue change has been necessitated due to the impact of prolonged rainfall in Dharamsala on the outfield and the prevailing ground conditions.

“The fixture will now be played at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali from September 29 to October 2, 2026,” the BCCI said in a release.

The Dharamsala outfield was criticised by a few players during the ODI World Cup in 2023 before the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) fixed the issue. The stadium is among the few in India to have a sub-air drainage system, which enables the outfield to be ready within 15-20 minutes even after heavy rain.