Australian Cricket In Dehradun

Ticking off another test venue will be awesome if Afghanistan hosts Australia in their maiden Test Match in Feb 2023. Although this fixture/venue is unconfirmed, Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun is Afghanistan's 2nd Home Ground in India, where Afghanistan played Ireland in their inaugural Test Match in March 2019.

Thus, it is fair to say we 'should' play here as it is a home test match for Afghanistan. Notwithstanding, it is 99.94% better than their 1st home ground in Greater Noida, just south-east of Delhi Capital Area. Aside from this, Shahid Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex is not (yet) a Test venue so the chances of Australia vs Afghanistan Test Match 2022 being played there is slim!

Dehradun is nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas, which, like Dharamsala, should make a stunning backdrop. One of the oldest cities in India, it was a prestigious town during the British occupation with elite schools and used as a cooling mountain retreat for aristocracy and politicos during the summer months.

Famed for their clocktowers, the British built 6-sided 'Ghanta Ghar' is at the city centre and regarded as the city's most beautiful structure. Famously, not having chimed for 10 years, on August 29, 2019, the bells eerily chimed at 10pm; possibly marking the time when 90 Overs In One Day were finally bowled!

Dehradun is the capital of Uttarakhand. At the base of the Himalayas, this state one of India's premier adventure sports destinations with white water rafting, mountain biking, paragliding, trekking, camping, and skiing in winter. It is too known for its religious pilgrimages and spiritual well-being, with thousands of people visiting the state to wind-down, guru-up, and detox. During our first visit to India in 1996, the most warmly spoken destination aside from airport departure gates was Rishikesh, the birthplace of yoga.

On the banks of the Ganges River, the sacred town of Rishikesh attracts spiritual-seekers who come to meditate, do yoga, and learn more about Hinduism. It is believed meditation there leads to salvation, whereas we just want 90 Overs In One Day. Rishikesh is 42km south of Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium if you feel like flexing your spiritual-side should the game end early. Personally, I'd prefer flexing my spine at the Forest Research Institute Golf Club, 6km from our hotel.

Importantly, getting to Dehradun, 260km north of New Delhi is pretty easy. As the best city to arrive, one-way flights from New Delhi start from A$42. If you spend a few days sightseeing in New Delhi, you should then catch the Shatabdi Express to Dehradun two days before the Test. Unless you fly to Dehradun, we can help you with this if we do not include it in your tour once we know match dates. This Indian Railways journey departs daily at 3pm and though arriving at 9pm, our hotel is less than 1km from the station so you will be refreshed before long.

If you fly into Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport, our driver will meet and transfer you to the swish hotel adjacent to Paltan Bazaar. This maniacal district is where your Indian adventure can begin the day before the Test Match if you don't tee up for a different mind of meditation. Should the game end early, we will point you in the right direction for soothing things to do if we don't organise a day trip into the Himalayas.

In a relaxed state of mind, we will have a dinner party the night before the Test where you will receive your match tickets and awesome floral shirts, meet everyone else and learn how we'll get to the big game. Because the ground is 10km away, we will transfer you to and from the game each day. We will also get you back to the railway station the day following the Test if you are joining us on our 7-10 day Indian adventure after what we are sure will be a ripping match at Dehradun's Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium cricket's 119th Test Venue.

Australian Cricket Tours:

• India 2023
• 26 Kolkata
• 27 Chennai
• 28 New Delhi
• 47 Bengaluru
• 48 Mumbai
• 74 Mohali
• 99 Nagpur
• 101 Hyderabad
• 119 Dehradun
• Rajasthan Tour
• Rajasthan Tour Itinerary

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