Pune may host 4th Test between India and South Africa if Delhi fails to obtain permissions, says Anurag Thakur

The BCCI secretary announced other possible venues apart from Pune

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur has said that Delhi could make way for Pune to play host to the 4th test between India and South Africa, which is scheduled to begin on December 3rd, reports Indian Express. Thakur made the announcement at the BCCI Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Mumbai.

The deadline for the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) to have the Ferozshah Kotla stadium ready to host the fourth Test between India and South Africa, was given as November 17. In the eventuality of the DDCA failing to obtain the necessary permissions, Pune would be ready to host the match instead, stated Thakur.

DDCA seems to be in a mess at the moment with the non-payment of Entertainment tax, which was estimated to be close to 25 crore. Due to this issue of non-payment, it is unlikely that the state government of Delhi would give a green signal to the match, which is to start in the first week of December.

With the deadline of the BCCI also soon approaching, DDCA is in a race against time to finish all formalities.

Delhi losing its test venue for the fourth test could dent another blow on the DDCA as it was scheduled to felicitate the recently retired cricketer, Virender Sehwag on his home ground, after the end of the final Test match between India and South Africa.

The BCCI had planned to show its appreciation to the former Indian opener, just like they did to Zaheer Khan in Mumbai, after the end of the fifth ODI between India and South Africa.

The BCCI AGM also saw the addition and approval of six new venues to host Test match cricket in the future for India. The venues which were approved were Pune, Rajkot, Vishakapatnam, Dharamshala, Indore and Ranchi. All the stadiums in these cities were previously hosting either ODIs or T20Is.

Pune will be given fourth Tests match between India vs SA. If Delhi (DDCA) doesn't bring all necessary permission: Anurag Thakur

— Devendra (@pdevendra) November 9, 2015