Indore set to enter Test record book

Over 82 years and 250 home Tests later, the land of cricketing legends CK Nayadu and Syed Mushtaq Ali is all set to enter the record book as country’s 11th Test venue, the first in the state, when the men in white flannels enter Indore’s Holkar Stadium to play the third Test match against New Zealand on Saturday morning.

Over 82 years and 250 home Tests later, the land of cricketing legends CK Nayadu and Syed Mushtaq Ali is all set to enter the record book as country’s 11th Test venue, the first in the state, when the men in white flannels enter Indore’s Holkar Stadium to play the third Test match against New Zealand on Saturday morning.

A huge crowd of fans watch the Indian and New Zealand players practicing at Holkar Stadium in Indore on Friday. (Shankar Mourya/ HT photo)

Indore is going to host its maiden Test after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) last year named six new Test venues including Indore, Rajkot, Visakhapatnam, Pune, Dharamsala and Ranchi to take the longest format of game to every corner of the country.

Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) president and a long-time BCCI administrator Sanjay Jagdale said, “BCCI awarded us a Test venue status as well as a Test. This is the proudest moment not just for the MPCA but every cricket fan in the state.”

“Indore will lead the revival of Test cricket in the country as this city is the first one of the six new venues named to host the longest form of game. It’s like Indore opening the innings for new Test venues in the country,” he added

The excitement was evident days before the match day as fans lined up and waited outside the stadium to get glimpse of their heroes. “How could we miss this opportunity to become part of history as our own city is hosting a Test match?” said 21-year-old engineering student Sudeepta Gawande. Another cricket buff 19-year-old Shishir Gupta said, “Not only I but also many of family members are ardent fans of Test cricket, because this is the real form of game. I would like to watch the game at stadium along with my family.”

The Holkar Stadium has been hosting ODIs since 2006. Despite being host to four ODIs, the latest of which was the second of the five matches against South Africa last month, it hasn’t hosted a T20 yet.

This city has a great cricketing legacy. Nayudu was India’s first Test team captain while Ali the first player to score a Test hundred outside India. Later carrying that legacy forward, Narendra Hirwani etched his name in the record books with a sensational 16-wicket haul in his debut Test, against the West Indies in the 1987-88 series. In addition, off-spinner Rajesh Chauhan and wicketkeeper-batsman Naman Ojha too earned Test caps while Amay Khurasia and allrounder JP Yadav made it to the ODI team.

Souvenir launched

Ahead of the match, the MPCA launched a souvenir titled “The Maiden Test” in presence of team India coach and former captain Anil Kumble. To make maiden Test memorable, the association is likely to distribute souvenir caps to all spectators attending the first day of the match.

Fans left dejected

Hundreds of cricket fans felt dejected on Friday when they were not allowed to enter the Holkar Stadium to watch practice sessions. This stadium has a tradition to allow fans to watch even practice sessions.

Ticket sale still on

Ticket sale for the maiden Test continued at Nehru Stadium on Friday. According to information, majority of tickets for gallery section and pavilion were sold out, while some of the student concession tickets were unsold.

Maiden Test insured for Rs 31 cr

The MPCA has insured Maiden Test for Rs 25 crore per day with the National Insurance Company, the highest insured sporting event in the state so far. In addition, the association also insured audience for Rs 6 crore.