<p>The third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia that was earlier scheduled to take place at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala has now been shifted to Indore, and will take place on the slated dates only – from March 1st to 5th. The BCCI made this decision on Monday following the latest inspection of Dharamsala ground that was deemed not ready to host an international match because of the relaid outfield. Indore alongside Vizag and Pune was kept as one of the backup venue options for this case scenario only.</p>

<p>The BCCI in the statement said, "Owing to harsh winter conditions in the region, the outfield lacks sufficient grass density and will need some time to develop fully."</p>

<p>While Dharamsala had played host to several international white-ball matches in addition to many IPL games in the past, it hosted just one Test match – that too between India and Australia during the 2016/17 Border-Gavaskar series. However, the Holkar stadium in Indore had also hosted only two Tests – against New Zealand in 2016 and versus Bangladesh in 2019. The ground recently hosted an ODI against New Zealand that India won by 90 runs.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/ind-vs-aus-change-in-india-squad-for-delhi-test-jaydev-unadkat-released-to-play-ranji-final-for-saurashtra-561235">IND vs AUS: Change in India squad for Delhi Test, Jaydev Unadkat released to play Ranji final for Saurashtra</a></p>

<p>Meanwhile, India leads the four-match series 1-0 following an innings and 132-run win over Australia in the Nagpur Test. Captain Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant 120 while the&nbsp;Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin returned with five-wicket hauls in the first and second innings, respectively. Jadeja also scored 70, whereas, Axar Patel also contributed with bat hitting his best 84 in India's only innings.</p>

<p>For the Delhi Test that begins on February 17th, India’s Shreyas Iyer is expected to return after recovering from back injury while left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat will be released to play the Ranji Trophy final for Saurashtra against Bengal, scheduled for February 16th at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. For the visiting team, they have roped in left-arm orthodox Matthew Kuhnemann as Mitchell Swepson’s replacement who has headed home for the birth of his first child. Besides, injured Mitchell Starc is also likely to join the Australian squad ahead of the second Test.</p>

<p>Indore and Ahmedabad will host the third and fourth Test, respectively.</p>


The third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia that was earlier scheduled to take place at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala has now been shifted to Indore, and will take place on the slated dates only – from March 1st to 5th.

The third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia that was earlier scheduled to take place at the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala has now been shifted to Indore, and will take place on the slated dates only – from March 1st to 5th. The BCCI made this decision on Monday following the latest inspection of Dharamsala ground that was deemed not ready to host an international match because of the relaid outfield. Indore alongside Vizag and Pune was kept as one of the backup venue options for this case scenario only. The BCCI in the statement said, "Owing to harsh winter conditions in the region, the outfield lacks sufficient grass density and will need some time to develop fully." While Dharamsala had played host to several international white-ball matches in addition to many IPL games in the past, it hosted just one Test match – that too between India and Australia during the 2016/17 Border-Gavaskar series. However, the Holkar stadium in Indore had also hosted only two Tests – against New Zealand in 2016 and versus Bangladesh in 2019. The ground recently hosted an ODI against New Zealand that India won by 90 runs. ALSO READ: IND vs AUS: Change in India squad for Delhi Test, Jaydev Unadkat released to play Ranji final for Saurashtra Meanwhile, India leads the four-match series 1-0 following an innings and 132-run win over Australia in the Nagpur Test. Captain Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant 120 while the Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin returned with five-wicket hauls in the first and second innings, respectively. Jadeja also scored 70, whereas, Axar Patel also contributed with bat hitting his best 84 in India's only innings. For the Delhi Test that begins on February 17th, India’s Shreyas Iyer is expected to return after recovering from back injury while left-arm seamer Jaydev Unadkat will be released to play the Ranji Trophy final for Saurashtra against Bengal, scheduled for February 16th at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. For the visiting team, they have roped in left-arm orthodox Matthew Kuhnemann as Mitchell Swepson’s replacement who has headed home for the birth of his first child. Besides, injured Mitchell Starc is also likely to join the Australian squad ahead of the second Test. Indore and Ahmedabad will host the third and fourth Test, respectively.

IND vs AUS: Holkar Stadium in Indore to host 3rd Test between India and Australia

<p>Ahead of the India-South Africa third and final T20I, at the iconic Holkar Stadium in Indore on Tuesday evening (October 04), a huge controversy broke out. The MP Cricket Association claimed that a team of IMC officials -- under Additional Commissioner Lata Agarwal -- raided their office in a bid to demand municipal taxes. The MPCA fees that the action was taken following&nbsp;their refusal&nbsp;to give away 'more' free passes for officials. On the other hand, the IMC has rubbished all such charges.</p>

<p>On Monday (October 03), a team of IMC officials arrived at the MPCA officials and accused the body of not paying the&nbsp;property tax for the stadium. To this, MPCA office bearers protested and pointed out that the last date is months away, i.e. March 31. While the officials confirmed that the payment will be made by then, they paid INR 3.2 million (INR 32 lakhs)&nbsp;to settle the matter ahead of the series finale between Team India and South Africa.</p>

<p>In addition, the IMC team demanded entertainment tax for previous matches. It is to be noted that&nbsp;the tax liability of those encounters is not the&nbsp;MPCA's responsibility but on the organisers. The entertainment tax for Tuesday's T20I can only be paid after the match since the final ticket sale won't be known before that.</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/wait-what-west-indies-shimron-hetmyer-dropped-from-t20-wc-squad-for-missing-flight-to-australia-522335"><strong>Wait, what? West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer dropped from T20 WC squad for missing flight to Australia</strong></a></p>

<p>"I'm aghast at the timing of the raid. I am told all this was done to get passes for a junior IAS officer posted in the Indore Municipal Corporation. We decided to settle their tax demand ahead of the due date because we did not want anything to come in the way of organizing the match. The reputation of the state and country is at stake whenever there is an international match," said MPCA President Abhilash Khandekar.</p>

<p>"The additional commissioner Lata Agarwal kept repeating that the IMC Commissioner had sent her," said Khandekar.&nbsp;"How many passes can we keep doling out? This freebie culture has to end," added the President.</p>

<p>Talking about the India-SA T20Is, Rohit Sharma &amp; Co. have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead after a 16-run win in the second and penultimate tie in Guwahati on Sunday (October 02). India will like to continue their winning run and inflict a whitewash over Temba Bavuma &amp; Co. in the final encounter, which will be the national side's last appearance on the 22-yard cricket strip&nbsp;before heading into the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, from October 16.</p>


Ahead of the India-South Africa third and final T20I, at the iconic Holkar Stadium in Indore on Tuesday evening (October 04), a huge controversy broke out. The MP Cricket Association claimed that a team of IMC officials -- under Additional Commissioner Lata Agarwal -- raided their office in a bid to demand municipal taxes.

Ahead of the India-South Africa third and final T20I, at the iconic Holkar Stadium in Indore on Tuesday evening (October 04), a huge controversy broke out. The MP Cricket Association claimed that a team of IMC officials -- under Additional Commissioner Lata Agarwal -- raided their office in a bid to demand municipal taxes. The MPCA fees that the action was taken following their refusal to give away 'more' free passes for officials. On the other hand, the IMC has rubbished all such charges. On Monday (October 03), a team of IMC officials arrived at the MPCA officials and accused the body of not paying the property tax for the stadium. To this, MPCA office bearers protested and pointed out that the last date is months away, i.e. March 31. While the officials confirmed that the payment will be made by then, they paid INR 3.2 million (INR 32 lakhs) to settle the matter ahead of the series finale between Team India and South Africa. In addition, the IMC team demanded entertainment tax for previous matches. It is to be noted that the tax liability of those encounters is not the MPCA's responsibility but on the organisers. The entertainment tax for Tuesday's T20I can only be paid after the match since the final ticket sale won't be known before that. ALSO READ | Wait, what? West Indies' Shimron Hetmyer dropped from T20 WC squad for missing flight to Australia "I'm aghast at the timing of the raid. I am told all this was done to get passes for a junior IAS officer posted in the Indore Municipal Corporation. We decided to settle their tax demand ahead of the due date because we did not want anything to come in the way of organizing the match. The reputation of the state and country is at stake whenever there is an international match," said MPCA President Abhilash Khandekar. "The additional commissioner Lata Agarwal kept repeating that the IMC Commissioner had sent her," said Khandekar. "How many passes can we keep doling out? This freebie culture has to end," added the President. Talking about the India-SA T20Is, Rohit Sharma & Co. have taken an unassailable 2-0 lead after a 16-run win in the second and penultimate tie in Guwahati on Sunday (October 02). India will like to continue their winning run and inflict a whitewash over Temba Bavuma & Co. in the final encounter, which will be the national side's last appearance on the 22-yard cricket strip before heading into the 2022 T20 World Cup in Australia, from October 16.

India vs SA, 3rd T20I: Indore Municipal Corporation raids MP Cricket Association ahead of final encounter

<p>Punjab&nbsp;opener KL Rahul scripted a new record after hitting 84 runs off 54 balls against Rajasthan&nbsp;at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore in the ongoing Indian&nbsp;Premier League (IPL).&nbsp;</p>

<p>He ensured victory for his team and also the third position&nbsp;in the league table.</p>

<p>So&nbsp;far, he has scored 376 runs and three half-centuries in this season. He is at the fourth position for the 'Orange Cap'.</p>

<p>Meanwhile, Mumbai is hanging at the fifth position and struggling to even make it to the play-off.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai skipper has been completely out of form this season and gave up his opening position to batsman&nbsp;Suryakumar Yadav, who grabbed the opportunity with both hands.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Rahul's brilliant innings and Sharma's failures have led fans to believe that it's time for Rohit&nbsp;Sharma to step down as the&nbsp;opening batsman of the Indian cricket team&nbsp;and make way for Rahul.&nbsp;</p>

<p>A lot of fans expressing their thoughts on Rahul being the new opener for India.&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/KXIPvRR?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#KXIPvRR</a> KL rahul should open for india in white ball cricket and rohit sharma at no. 4 as it will solve the middle muddle and makes the middle order very strong bcoz next to come is kartik dhoni and hardik pandya!!!</p>
— Khushal Jobanputra (@Khushalkj777) <a href="https://twitter.com/Khushalkj777/status/993349111796580352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Yeah! Surely agree With You!!<br />
But This IPL season Is Not Gud for Rohit Sharma!<br />
And If KL RAHUL Will Not Be Part Of CWC19!<br />
It will surely be very hard for Team India to win! Coz Dhoni and Kohli can't win whole Tournament!</p>
— HARSH (ABD17 & MSD7) (@Abd_MsdFC) <a href="https://twitter.com/Abd_MsdFC/status/993367479421407234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 7, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">KL Rahul looks equally gifted and more consistent than Rohit Sharma. How long Rohit will be given chances in the national side despite his lack of consistency?<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CricbuzzLIVE?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CricbuzzLIVE</a></p>
— The Eloquent Indian (@TheEloquentInd1) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheEloquentInd1/status/993188549175398400?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 6, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CBhaveyoursay?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CBhaveyoursay</a> If IPL form is anything to go by, then kl Rahul and not Rohit sharma should now be Indian team opener! Isn't it?</p>
— arnab (@arnabsaha610) <a href="https://twitter.com/arnabsaha610/status/992412759890518016?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 4, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en"><a href="https://twitter.com/BCCI?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BCCI</a> It's high time that India should replace Rohit Sharma with KL Rahul or Samson in both T20 and ODI.</p>
— CuriousRaj (@astroraj2) <a href="https://twitter.com/astroraj2/status/985822944097169408?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 16, 2018</a></blockquote>
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<p>Rahul had created history on April 8 against Delhi Daredevils when he scored a fifty in just 14 balls, the fastest ever in the history of IPL.</p>

<p>With this record, he surpassed Sunil Narine and Yusuf Pathan's record.</p>

<p>Both Narine and Pathan had hit their respective fifties in 15 balls each.</p>

<p>Whereas, Sharma has just scored 231 runs so far disappointing all his fans and the Mumbai franchise.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


KL Rahul smashed 84 runs off 54 balls in his previous game against Rajasthan

Punjab opener KL Rahul scripted a new record after hitting 84 runs off 54 balls against Rajasthan at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL). He ensured victory for his team and also the third position in the league table. So far, he has scored 376 runs and three half-centuries in this season. He is at the fourth position for the 'Orange Cap'. Meanwhile, Mumbai is hanging at the fifth position and struggling to even make it to the play-off. Rohit Sharma, the Mumbai skipper has been completely out of form this season and gave up his opening position to batsman Suryakumar Yadav, who grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Rahul's brilliant innings and Sharma's failures have led fans to believe that it's time for Rohit Sharma to step down as the opening batsman of the Indian cricket team and make way for Rahul. A lot of fans expressing their thoughts on Rahul being the new opener for India. #KXIPvRR KL rahul should open for india in white ball cricket and rohit sharma at no. 4 as it will solve the middle muddle and makes the middle order very strong bcoz next to come is kartik dhoni and hardik pandya!!! — Khushal Jobanputra (@Khushalkj777) May 7, 2018 × Yeah! Surely agree With You!! But This IPL season Is Not Gud for Rohit Sharma! And If KL RAHUL Will Not Be Part Of CWC19! It will surely be very hard for Team India to win! Coz Dhoni and Kohli can't win whole Tournament! — HARSH (ABD17 & MSD7) (@Abd_MsdFC) May 7, 2018 × KL Rahul looks equally gifted and more consistent than Rohit Sharma. How long Rohit will be given chances in the national side despite his lack of consistency? #CricbuzzLIVE — The Eloquent Indian (@TheEloquentInd1) May 6, 2018 × #CBhaveyoursay If IPL form is anything to go by, then kl Rahul and not Rohit sharma should now be Indian team opener! Isn't it? — arnab (@arnabsaha610) May 4, 2018 × @BCCI It's high time that India should replace Rohit Sharma with KL Rahul or Samson in both T20 and ODI. — CuriousRaj (@astroraj2) April 16, 2018 × Rahul had created history on April 8 against Delhi Daredevils when he scored a fifty in just 14 balls, the fastest ever in the history of IPL. With this record, he surpassed Sunil Narine and Yusuf Pathan's record. Both Narine and Pathan had hit their respective fifties in 15 balls each. Whereas, Sharma has just scored 231 runs so far disappointing all his fans and the Mumbai franchise.

Replace Rohit Sharma with KL Rahul as opener in Indian Cricket team, demand fans