AHMEDABAD: The Motera Stadium of Ahmedabad— also known by the name Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Cricket Stadium—the largest cricket stadium in the world, will finally re-open in February 2021. The stadium will be inaugurated with the next cricket series against England. The Test series against England is set to begin on February 7 and a day-night Test will be held at Ahmedabad’s Motera Stadium from February 24.
The stadium was constructed in 1983 and was first renovated in 2006. With the seating capacity of 110,000 spectators, it became the regular venue for international matches in the city. As of 2020, the stadium has hosted 12 Tests, 23 ODIs, and 1 T20Is matches. In 2015 the stadium was closed and demolished before being completely rebuilt once again.
The Gujarat Cricket Association has set up an indoor academy at a cost of Rupees 40 lakh so that the players can practice efficiently. The academy has four different types of wickets which will help improve the skills of the players in every way. Moreover, the special thing about the academy is that the rain will no longer intervene with the practice sessions.
The academy was inaugurated by BCCI Secretary Jay Shah. Parthiv Patel, former India wicketkeeper, who retired from all forms of cricket on Thursday, was also at the inauguration along with Shah.
Exactly one year after the grand ‘Namaste Trump’ program for US President Donald Trump last February, the Ahmedabad stadium is ready to host international cricket matches.
“The first Test will start from February 7 and the day-night Test will be played in Ahmedabad at the Motera Stadium from February 24. 5 T20I matches will be played in Ahmedabad’s Motera stadium,” Jay Shah said while inaugurating Gujarat Cricket Association’s indoor academy for young cricketers. The third India-England Test will be played from February 24-28 and will be a day-night affair at Ahmedabad’s refurbished Sardar Patel Motera Stadium, which can accommodate 1,10,000 spectators, though no fans are likely to be allowed inside as the series will be played in bio-secure bubble. The BCCI statement, however, did not specify if spectators would be allowed in.
It will be only the second pink-ball Test in India, after the one played against Bangladesh in Kolkata last year.