Indore waits for captain Kohli’s Test record
Cricket buffs in Indore are waiting to see captain Virat Kohli guide team India to another Test record as India clashes with New Zealand at Holkar Stadium’s maiden test match on October 8.
Cricket buffs in Indore are waiting to see captain Virat Kohli guide team India to another Test record as India clashes with New Zealand at Holkar Stadium’s maiden test match on October 8.
Victory in this Test match would not only ensure a clean sweep in the Test series with the Kiwies but will also add a feather to the cap of Kohli for surpassing cricket legends Sunil Gavaskar and Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi in terms of Test victories as a skipper.
Kohli is yet to lose a Test match at home and currently equals his feat with Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Sunil Gavaskar’s record 9 Test wins. The Delhi right-hander lost only two Tests (both against Australia in Australia) out of 16 Tests which he led, while five ended in ties.
Both teams reach city amidst welcome
Both the teams arrived in Indore on Wednesday evening to play the third and final Test match of the three-match series. Heavy police force were deployed outside the hotel where the teams checked in. Before their arrival, a large crowd gathered outside the hotel to welcome the players.
Rain threat looms over Test
The Indian Meteorological Department has forecast light rains on the first three days of the match that starts on October 8. However, cricket lovers are banking on improved drainage facilities at the stadium.
Indore received spells of moderate to brisk rain on Wednesday. Speaking to Hindustan Times, city-based meteorologist SK Dey said Indore could receive light rain during late morning or afternoon hours, but chances of rain are more on October 8 to 10, since monsoon withdraws by October 10 to 11.
Ticket sales on Thursday too
With more than 3,000 season tickets left unsold, Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has decided to continue selling tickets on Thursday. MPCA secretary Milind Kanmadikar said, “After online and off-line ticket sale, 850 pavilion tickets and around 2,500 tickets for gallery seats and those to be sold to students at concessional rates are still left unsold. The association will sell these tickets on Thursday from Nehru stadium between 10 am to 4 pm.”
Kanmadikar added that majority of tickets left unsold belong to students concession category.
Ground records
10,000 run mark: On March 31, 2001, Sachin Tendulkar became the first ever batsman to score 10,000 runs in ODI format. He achieved the feat while playing the third ODI of a five-match series against Australia at Nehru Stadium in Indore.
Record 219 runs: On December 8, 2011, former Team India opener Virendra Sehwag scored a record-breaking 219 runs off just 149 balls against West Indies at Holkar Stadium.
Happy hunting ground: So far, Holkar stadium has hosted four ODIs, two against England, one against West Indies and one against South Africa. Team India registered victory in all the ODIs. This apart, the stadium also hosted two IPL matches.