DDCA takes court route to host Test

The BCCI has announced in a statement that the finalising of the venue for the fourth Test of the ongoing series between India and South Africa will depend on the verdict of the High Court, which has been approached by the under-fire DDCA.

Ferozeshah Kotla last hosted a Test in March, 2013, between India and Australia.

The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) has approached the Delhi High Court to secure hosting rights for the fourth Test of the ongoing Test series between India and South Africa. The BCCI announced in a statement that the venue of that Test will be decided in accordance with the Court’s orders, expected to arrive on Wednesday. “The BCCI will wait for the courts decision before deciding on the future course of action,” it said. The alternative venue, as had been declared by BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur, will be the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.

Allegations of corruption within the DDCA prompted a committee to be appointed by Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal for a probe. While the panel has recommended the dissolving of the body in its current form, there has been no clear verdict on whether the Ferozeshah Kotla ground, and thereby DDCA, should host the contest as originally planned by the BCCI.

However, the odds are against the Delhi board to be given the go-ahead in view of the problems it has been found to have, explaining their need to approach the court.