Ekana stadium gets set for big time cricket
LUCKNOW: Cricket lovers here can look forward to watching big hitters Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni etc of Team India and Chris Gayle of West Indies when the two teams meet in one of the five one-day internationals (ODIs) at the newly built Ekana International Cricket Stadium in November this year.
Meanwhile, Indian Premier League (IPL) commissioner and one of the directors of the UP Cricket Association, Rajiv Shukla on Saturday said no IPL play-off matches will be organised this year at Ekana Stadium as BCCI’s technical experts said it would be a ‘risky affair.’
“In their report, the International Management Group (IMG) team that manages the IPL after visiting the venue raised questions about holding play-off matches here. The team said they could not risk holding play-off matches here as all arrangements would have to be made for the first time,” said Shukla. He added: “There is no doubt that the stadium is one of the best venues in the country. We could have conducted the play-offs (matches) here, if the venue had hosted even one or two leagues matches earlier.”
Hence the ‘tried and tested’ Eden Gardens (Kolkata) was chosen as the venue for playoffs. “However, Lucknowites shouldn’t feel disappointed as we have decided to conduct a one-day match between India and West Indies here later this year,” said Shukla, adding, “It would be the best launch pad for this stadium.”
It is learnt that the BCCI has earmarked Mumbai, Guwahati, Kochi, Indore and Pune as five venues for the ODI series against West Indies in November, and with Lucknow’s Ekana Stadium pitching in now, any of the pre-decided venues has to lose the hosting rights.
So far the Ekana Stadium has hosted half-a-dozen domestic matches, including five Duleep Trophy matches last season, and its pitch is most suitable for batting, especially in one-day and Twenty20 format.
The pitches and ground are being managed by the former head of pitch and ground committee of BCCI Daljeet Singh, who is known for his perfect expertise in sporting pitch preparations.
“It’s baseless propaganda that broadcasters as well as some of the franchises had difficulties in conducting IPL matches here.
Certainly, the franchises don’t have their stakes in Lucknow in terms of their brand promotion etc, but broadcasters as well as the IMG people were ready to conduct an IPL match here,” said one of the BCCI officials on condition of anonymity.
Meanwhile, director of Ekana Sports City, Udai Sinha appeared a bit disappointed over the non-conduct of IPL matches here, but expressed satisfaction that the venue had been chosen for India-West Indies ODI match.
“We have made best arrangements at the stadium and even the IMG people appreciated it . It’s disappointing that we are not getting the play-off matches at this venue. However, I am thankful to BCCI for choosing this stadium for the India-West Indies ODI match,” said Sinha.