The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) may have to reschedule the fourth Test match of the 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia due to playing conditions in Ranchi in the winter months. The five-match series is set to take place between January 21 and March 3, 2027, in Nagpur, Chennai, Guwahati, Ranchi and Ahmedabad.

The fourth Test is planned to be played at Ranchi from February 19 to 23 and will begin at 9:30 AM IST. According to a Sportskeeda report published on September 18, the India team management has asked the BCCI to consider the idea of ​​moving it due to shorter daylight hours in January and February.

This would limit the number of hours of sunlight and may make it impossible to complete the 90 overs per day that a Test match requires.

Why does BCCI want the Ranchi Test moved?

Ranchi's early winter sunsets are reportedly at the core of the team's concern. With the daylight fading earlier during the scheduled Test period, the management worries that interruptions caused by the lack of light will reduce the amount of cricket played each day.

Completing 90 overs in a day's play is an important consideration for Test cricket, especially during the five-match series, where playing time could have an impact on the outcome of matches and the management of players.

A similar problem reportedly occurred during India's home Test series against South Africa in 2025. Lighting concerns at the eastern venues of Kolkata and Guwahati caused playing sessions to end up earlier than scheduled. In the Guwahati Test, the teams were unable to complete 90 overs, despite an earlier start being arranged.

The report, as quoted by Outlook, stated:

“The team management has raised this issue with the BCCI that due to the early sunset in Ranchi during January-February, evening arrives prematurely.

In such a situation, there could be a reduction in playing time during the Test match due to lack of lighting, and it might be difficult to complete the mandatory 90 overs per day.”

Ranchi is the scheduled venue as of 18 September, 2026, and any change will depend on a final decision from the BCCI.

Although there are similar concerns about the winter daylights in eastern India, Guwahati is supposedly expected to retain its place on the schedule.

The third Test is scheduled to be held between 11-15 February, 2027, with a 9:00 AM IST start.

The BCCI could supposedly consider a minor adjustment to the starting time to maximize the available daylight.

The fixture is expected to remain in Guwahati for now, although BCCI Secretary Devajit Saikia's connection to Assam has also been mentioned in the report. However, no official venue change has been announced by the BCCI and Ranchi remains the designated venue for the fourth Test.

India vs Australia BGT 2027: Full Test schedule

The 2027 Border-Gavaskar Trophy will feature five Tests across India, forming part of the final assignment in the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

test match	Venue	dates	Start Time
1st test	Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur	January 21–25, 2027	9:30 am IST
2nd test	MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai	January 29–February 2, 2027	9:30 am IST
3rd test	Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium, Guwahati	February 11–15, 2027	9:00 AM IST
4th test	JSCA International Stadium Complex, Ranchi (Subject to potential relocation due to early sunset concerns)	February 19–23, 2027	9:30 am IST
5th test	Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad	February 27–March 3, 2027	9:30 am IST