India A Women vs Australia A Women multi-day match shifted from Dharamshala to Mohali

The BCCI has confirmed that the four-day match between India A Women and Australia A Women, scheduled from September 29 to October 2, 2026, will no longer be held at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala. PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali has been named as the replacement venue, with the original four-day window remaining intact.

BCCI Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia issued the announcement on September 23, 2026. The board attributed the relocation to prolonged rainfall that had left the Dharamshala outfield and overall ground conditions unsuitable for hosting a four-day contest beginning September 29.

The original schedule had listed a 9:30 AM IST start at Dharamshala for the opening day of the multi-day fixture. Whether that start time carries over to Mohali has not been confirmed by the BCCI, and further communication from the board is awaited on this point.

Why was the Dharamshala venue changed for the multi-day match?

Sustained rainfall in the lead-up to the fixture caused measurable damage to the outfield and ground surface at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. With the match due to begin on September 29, 2026, the BCCI assessed that Dharamshala could not be prepared to an acceptable standard within the available time.

Mohali was selected as the alternative on account of its established infrastructure and its capacity to accommodate multi-day cricket at relatively short notice. PCA IS Bindra Stadium has previously hosted international fixtures across formats and carries the facilities required for a four-day women's A-team contest. The confirmed dates of September 29 to October 2, 2026, are unaffected by the change of venue. The BCCI's decision to act six days ahead of the scheduled start reflects the board's intent to give ground staff and match officials sufficient time to prepare the Mohali surface to the required standard.

What is the full format of the Australia A Women tour of India 2026?

The ongoing Australia A Women tour of India provides both squads with a platform to give competitive exposure to emerging and fringe players outside the senior international setup. The multi-day format is particularly significant in the women's game, where red-ball opportunities at this level remain limited compared to the men's circuit. Hosting the fixture at Mohali ensures the match proceeds within the confirmed window without disruption to the broader tour schedule.