Feroz Shah Kotla to host New Zealand's warm-up match

Delhi’s Feroz Shah Kotla is all set to host the opening warm-up fixture of New Zealand’s tour of India when the visitors take on Board President’s XI from September 16-18.

Interestingly, the BCCI had sounded out Kotla whether it wanted to host the Duleep trophy day/night ‘pink ball’ game from August 23.

“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 today.

The Greater Noida ground recently saw the Afghanistan team practice before the ICC World T20.

The DDCA, however, will host the New Zealand warm-up game because it is also closer to the venue of the first Test which will be held in Kanpur from September 22-26.

“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.