Vengsarkar: 'Count Mumbai as back-up venue for India-Bangladesh Test'

Former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar also said that with TNCA expressing its inability to host next month’s India Under-19 four-day games against England, matches should be shifted to Mumbai.

Dilip Vengsarkar said that Mumbai can host the two four-day games as it has more international venues than any other city in India.

With Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) expressing its inability to host next month’s India Under-19 four-day games against England, former India captain Dilip Vengsarkar feels these matches should be shifted and hosted in Mumbai. He also said that if Hyderabad Cricket Association is unable to hold the one-off India-Bangladesh Test match, Mumbai can be counted as the back-up venue.

"As a former captain of India, I feel that if TNCA is unable to host the Under-19 games against England, Mumbai can host it as it has more international venues than any other city in India,” the ex-chief selector told.

TNCA has cited cyclone Vardah, its after-effects and its own domestic cricket schedule as reasons for it not having sufficient fit-enough grounds to host the games against England for a fortnight at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk.

He further added: “Besides, Mumbai also could be counted as the back-up venue for the India-Bangladesh Test match if Hyderabad which is the original venue declines to host it.”

“I believe cricket should always be the priority. These matches are scheduled a long time ago and hosting them shouldn’t be a problem at all,” said the former skipper.