The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has shifted two Chhattisgarh home matches in the 2026-27 Ranji Trophy Elite season. The decision comes after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) restricted sporting activities at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Raipur.
The venue is currently unavailable for domestic cricket due to the restrictions. As a result, the BCCI has moved both fixtures to different grounds.
Chhattisgarh were originally scheduled to face Andhra in Raipur from October 26 to 29. The match will now take place at the Devineni Venkata Ramana Praneetha Ground in Mulapadu, near Vijayawada. The Andhra Cricket Association will host the fixture.
The second match against Hyderabad was scheduled to begin on November 2. It has now been shifted to the Gymkhana Ground in Hyderabad.
A Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) official explained the reasons behind the venue changes.
“There are a couple of reasons for shifting the matches. We have undertaken renovation work at the ground and, of course, there is an NGT order. That is why we are unable to host the games,” the CSCS official stated as quoted by Cricbuzz.
Why Has the NGT Restricted the Raipur Stadium?
The NGT issued its order on July 2, 2026. It restricted sports activities at the Raipur stadium over concerns about groundwater usage and sustainable water management.
The tribunal found that the venue was using around 828 kilolitres of groundwater every day to maintain the cricket ground. It also noted that the stadium had failed to provide the required responses on water conservation.
However, the tribunal later granted limited permission for the venue to host three women’s T20I matches between India and Zimbabwe on October 16, 18 and 20. The permission came with a condition to deposit Rs 20 lakh with the Chhattisgarh Environment Conservation Board.
The next NGT hearing regarding the stadium is scheduled for December 2026.
Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh are currently fifth in Group B of the Ranji Trophy Elite standings. They have recorded one win and two defeats from four matches. Their remaining home fixtures could depend on the outcome of the upcoming NGT hearing.
