Feroz Shah Kotla to host New Zealand Warm-up match

In a recent statement released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Feroz Shah Kotla will host the warm-up match for New Zealand when the Black Caps come down for a tour later this year. New Zealand is scheduled to take on the Board President’s XI from September 16-18.

The BCCI however, had earlier sought to use the Kotla to host the Duleep Trophy, something that seems somewhat unlikely at the moment. The Duleep Trophy is meant to be a Pink Ball affair, only for it to now be taken away from the iconic Delhi stadium.

“Yes, Kotla was offered the Duleep Trophy Pink ball game but the DDCA feels that due to ongoing monsoons, it will be difficult to get the ground ready on time for the match. That’s why UPCA’s new ground at Greater Noida, which has floodlights will host the Duleep Trophy Day/Night game on August 23,” a senior BCCI source told PTI on Thursday.

The Kotla has come under severe criticism from many people, officials, and cricketers alike. The last Test match the ground hosted was the match between South Africa and India, a match that saw the Indians claim a win in just three days.

Also check out – Cricketing trends in Twitter today

“It is logistically viable that New Zealand team remains in Delhi for the better part and therefore play the warm-up game at the Feroz Shah Kotla. It will be a newly laid strip and the monsoon season by that time would have come to an end,” the source added.