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Kaneria to Pataudi, Mohali impresses all
Mohali stadium has mesmerised everyone with its facilities - from Pataudi, Kaneria, Woolmer to Pakistani high commissioner to India.
The Mohali stadium has mesmerised everyone with its facilities and hospitality, with Pakistan's best bowler Danish Kaneria saying he will remember the venue "for a long time".
Former India captain Mansur Ali Khan has called the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium "the best place in India to watch cricket". His wife Sharmila Tagore concurs: "I agree completely."
Said the Karachi-born Kaneria, whose six-wicket haul is his career's ninth: "It was a pleasure to be at the Mohali stadium.
"The hospitality was great and people energetic," he added. "Because I took a six-wicket haul in this match, I will remember it for a long time."
Pataudi said he was awestruck by the facilities provided by PCA.
Even Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, Aziz Ahmed Khan, was impressed with the world-class amenities at the venue.
"It's an excellent ground and the management has been very professional and good," wrote Khan in the PCA guest book after the first day's play. "It was a very enjoyable day's play. All credit goes to the management."
Not only the high commissioner but the wives of some players were moved by the reception they received.
Aarti, wife of Virender Sehwag who scored a brilliant 173 in the first innings, averred: "Best cricket ground after Eden Gardens - and great hospitality."
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer also praised the venue. He wrote in the guest book: "Very impressive stadium. Excellent outfield and facilities. A real Test match venue for a lovely city."
PCA president Inderjit Singh Bindra said the association had added some of the best ground equipment and facilities recently.
"We have added a half-Olympic size pool, 10,000 new bucket chairs in the stands and some more equipment to the ground," he said.
"Whatever is the latest available (equipment) for the maintenance of the best golf courses of the world - the standard of the USPGA courses - we have the same equipment here," said the former president of the Indian cricket board.
Bindra said that the equipment included the mowers, cutters and dressers.
