India vs NZ: Indore’s Holkar Stadium set to host maiden Test match

Indore will host its first Test match at the Holkar stadium during the India-New Zealand series to be held during September-October, 2016.

Indore will host its first Test match at the Holkar stadium during the India-New Zealand series to be held during September-October, 2016.

Ground work on full swing at Holkar stadium in Indore, which will host its first test match during the India-New Zealand series to be held during September-October, 2016. (Shankar Mourya/HT photo)

BCCI tour programme and fixture committee made this announcement on Thursday while deciding the venues of international and domestic cricket season for 2016-17.

The glad tidings for cricket lovers comes barely 10 months after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) accorded Test status to Holkar Stadium during its 86th annual general meeting on November 9, 2015.

Holkar Stadium has been hosting one day internationals (ODI) since 2006. Till date, four ODIs and two IPL Twenty20 matches have been held at the venue. India won in all four ODIs, two against England and one each against West Indies and South Africa respectively.

Apart from Indore, Rajkot, Vizag, Pune, Dharmasala and Ranchi will host Tests for the first time in the forthcoming season, in which India will play 13 tests, eight ODI and three Twenty20 internationals.

“This is a great honour for MPCA to be part of test venues family. It’s like a dream come true. Indore has rich legacy in cricket and today we took it a step forward,” said Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) president Sanjay Jagdale.

Association secretary Milind Kanmadikar said, “The preparations are in full swing for hosting a Test match after the successful hosting of the India-South Africa ODI on October 14, 2015.

“We are confident of holding one of the Tests on Holkar stadium this season. As far as pitch and ground is concerned, we are up to the mark. Some modifications might be needed in the stadium and seating arrangements, which we will complete soon,” Kanmadikar said.