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IND vs ENG, 5th Test: Dharamsala Install New Ryegrass On Outfield, But What's That?

The Dharamshala outfield had been a major concern during ICC World Cup 2023 [X.com]The Dharamshala outfield had been a major concern during ICC World Cup 2023 [X.com]

After facing criticism over the shifting of one of the Tests against Australia last season during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) has learnt its lessons and installed a new, cold-wave resistant grass type on the Dharamshala outfield for the fifth and final India versus England Test. 

Scheduled to host the third Test of the four-match series in March 2023, the HPCA had to forego the hosting rights for what would've been only their second Test amidst the scenic Dhauladhar valleys since the inaugural Test at the venue between India and Australia in the year 2017. 

The bone of contention was the underprepared and weather-affected outfield, which was also a topic of controversy during the ICC World Cup 2023 in October-November when during an England and Bangladesh league stage clash, players raised doubts over the outfield's safety for their dives and saves. 


HPCA Installs New RyeGrass On Dharamshala Outfield 

The HPCA has now acted on the criticism and flak received from the teams and the media and has reinstalled grass on the outfield in Dharamshala for the smooth conduct of the series finale between India and England. 

The state association, which had invested heavily in reinstalling the entire outfield during the 2022-23 winter season, has now brought in the special Ryegrass, which is weather-resistant and should cause no concern for the players from both teams during their fielding duties. 

The development would be a cause of relief for HPCA and BCCI as the Indian board wouldn't have wanted repeat of the scenario of the Australian series when it was forced to shift the third Test to Indore with limited time for rearrangements and logistics. 

India lead the five-match Test series 3-1 and will be hoping to finish the England challenge on a high while bolstering their World Test Championship points tally.