Gwalior’s new stadium will allow us to host India matches alternatively with Indore: MPCA Chief

Gwalior New International Cricket Stadium . (Photo Source: X(Twitter)

International cricket will be returning to Gwalior after a hiatus of more than 14 years as India and Bangladesh are slated to kickstart the three-match T20I series by playing the first game at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium on October 6. The last international game played in the Fort City was an iconic one, as Sachin Tendulkar became the first batter in ODI history to breach the 200-run mark.

The President of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, Abhilash Khandekar, made the state association’s intentions clear with respect to the two main venues for cricket in Madhya Pradesh.

“The ICC and the BCCI want an exclusive stadium for cricket and we have two now in Gwalior and Indore. Going forward, whenever MPCA is allotted matches by the BCCI, we would want to use Gwalior and Indore alternatively. Both are traditional venues with a rich history of the game,” Khandekar was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.

“We would surely want to host a Test here. The people of Gwalior would like to see that as well. The city is excited about the T20 and I hope we can have a red-ball game here soon,” added Khandekar. He

He also revealed that the tickets for the series-opener have been sold out with an approximate figure of 30,000 spectators expected on Sunday.

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There were a few challenges, but we have overcome that: Khandekar

Khandekar also revealed that despite torrential downpour, the groundstaff has made sure that the outfield is in prime condition for the opening T20I.

“With the heavy rain in Gwalior, there were a few challenges, but we have overcome that. All the MPCA staff members working on the game are thorough professionals, they got here well in advance to prepare for the game,” added Khandekar.

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The cutting edge Shrimant Madhavrao Stadium was inaugurated in June and is set to supersede the languishing Captain Roop Singh Stadium, which has been run by the local corporation all along.