2023 ODI World Cup venues: Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad — capability, pitch data and areas that want consideration

Hyderabad Cricket Association will host a World Cup match after a spot of 17 years. The final World Cup match within the metropolis was when West Indies took on Zimbabwe on the floodlit Lal Bahadur Stadium.

For a very long time, LB Stadium, or Fateh Maidan because it was extra popularly known as, was the principle hub of cricketing exercise even with the HCA workplace positioned on the premises.

But, the development of the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium at Uppal, which was then on the outskirts of town, has modified the contours of internet hosting nationwide and worldwide matches when it comes to world-class amenities for the gamers, officers and the spectators.

Over the years, it has emerged as top-of-the-line playfields, particularly the enjoying space that matches one of the best throughout the nation. So a lot in order that the groundstaff, first mentored by ‘Pipe’ Gopal and later headed by the BCCI curator Y.L. Chandrasekhar, has gained ‘The Best Curator’ award twice within the high-profile IPL.

For the document, Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, which was match-ready in 2006, hosted 5 Tests, seven ODIs and three T20Is, in addition to the finals of IPL 2017 and 2019.

Okay. Durga Prasad, the retired IPS officer who’s helping the Supreme Court-appointed Single Judge Justice (Retd) Avula Nageswara Rao to run the administration of HCA until the “impasse is resolved in the Association,” is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the venue mustn’t solely be essentially the most player-friendly but additionally spectator-friendly.

“We have initiated a lot of measures to give the Stadium a new look for the World Cup matches,” he stated.

“The HCA has sought BCCI’s assistance to renovate the 40,000-capacity stadium. The major subjects include canopies, elevators, giant scoreboards, chairs and new floodlights. BCCI has in principle agreed to execute it from their end and debit it from funds due to HCA,” Prasad stated.

“We are also ensuring that all sewerage lines in and around the stadium are properly maintained to avoid any inconvenience. Repair works are in full swing to plug any loopholes,” he stated.

Prasad additionally harassed the necessity to tackle the grievances of the paying followers. “They should not be deprived of basic amenities, particularly the washrooms and drinking water. We have already ensured 40 cool water facilities in and around the stadium for the IPL,” the highest official stated.

“Efforts are on to replace most of the chairs in the stands before the World Cup starts and the present floodlights will be changed to LED lights and there will be new screens also,” he stated.

“A new chiller plant, which basically regulates the comfort levels of any indoor environment, will be in place. The old elevators will be replaced with new ones. We have briefed the BCCI about the requirements long back and works are in progress swiftly,” Prasad stated.

One fast have a look at the venue and it’s clear that the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium will provide a completely refreshing expertise not only for the gamers and officers but additionally for the spectators.

Capacity: Though the preliminary projected capability was 55,000, it will definitely can accommodate 40,000 on match days. Even in keeping with Justice Lodha tips, 10 per cent of the full variety of seats could be allotted as complimentaries, which incorporates the affiliated golf equipment of HCA, all Government companies together with Police, GHMC, TSSPDCL and many others.

Generally, the tickets sale can be on-line and the bodily tickets are collected at some designated factors equivalent to Gymkhana Ground, LB Stadium and different distinguished locations throughout town.

Hospitality bins: There are about 60 company bins with a seating capability of about 25 every. They are primarily on the Southern and Northern blocks of the Stadium.

The entrance to the primary flooring of the Corporate bins has image frames of a few of the biggest names the sport has ever seen together with fairly a number of from town, equivalent to Ghulam Ahmed, ‘Tiger’ Pataudi, Abbas Ali Baig, M.L. Jaisimha, Kenny Jayathilal, M.V. Narasimha Rao, Mohd Azharuddin, V.V.S. Laxman, S.L. Venkatapathi Raju, Pragyan Ojha to call a number of.

And additionally some frames which revive nostalgic recollections — just like the one of many 1983 World Cup successful crew, the famed spin quartet of Bishen Bedi, Erapalli Prasanna, B.S. Chandrasekhar and S. Venkataraghavan.

Practice amenities: By all means, this venue can boast of actually worldwide normal amenities as there are in all 17 nets together with two astro-turf wickets. One set of ‘nets’ is floodlit and efforts are on to get the opposite set floodlit too. All coaching classes can be in these nets which are close to the principle entrance of the principle stadium advanced.

Even the Gymkhana Ground at Secunderabad is being spruced up for the second time after greater than twenty years to be on stand-by as a observe facility for the groups arriving for the warm-up and the three league video games of the World Cup.

Pitches: In all, there can be six strips. Traditionally, they’ve been batter pleasant through the years. And, if the final IPL when seven dwelling video games had been performed right here was any indication, they is probably not totally different for the World Cup video games too.

Curator Chandrasekhar and his groundstaff have earned the fame of being top-of-the-line, and a few of the cricketing greats who visited the venue echoed comparable opinions.

Drainage and outfield: The venue has in place top-of-the-line drainage techniques, which ensures that even after heavy rains, there is not going to be an excessive amount of of a delay in resumption of play because the sub-soil pipeline system is straight related to the moat encircling your entire enjoying space. “For the ground, we are getting a total set of new machines from super soppers and rollers to cutters. Everything is brand new, and this stadium which for a long time lacked good equipment, is now 100 per cent ready.”

Entry factors: There are 11 Outer Gates and 15 entry factors by interior Gates of A, B, C,D and E, all of which have turnstiles to display screen the legitimate ticket-holders.

Gate No. 1 is reserved for gamers, officers and the VVIPs with the Southern Grandstand internet hosting most of the dressing rooms with ultra-modern amenities and the media field that may accommodate about 100 personnel masking the match, with devoted web connection in place. The Northern Stand has the TV commentators field and company bins.

Dressing rooms: The dressing rooms are absolutely outfitted and have state-of-the-art amenities. “From big televisions to ice bath facilities, everything is in place and we have also purchased a brand new ice cube making machine. So there is nothing that is going to be in shortage or missed out,” stated Prasad.

Parking and transport: The Hyderabad Metro Station is at a walkable distance from the Stadium and is without doubt one of the most well-liked modes of transport, with the authorities all the time making it a degree to run particular trains throughout match days.

There are two parking areas near the principle entrance of the stadium, the place a lot of the officers and VIPs are given choice, whereas the opposite one is behind the Northern Stand which in a means is a first-come first-served foundation.

There can be parking slots on the method street for two-wheelers and likewise at NGRI, Little Flower College and close to Genpact. However, the principle irritant in terms of parking is that a lot of the space is ‘occupied’ by the police automobiles though some are designated for different segments like media and this has all the time been a significant challenge.

In case of emergency: Round-the-clock ambulances with full medical providers are all the time out there on the stadium. Plans are afoot to arrange medical amenities at every of the entry factors of the stands too. Washrooms can be found on all sides of the stadium in every stand.

Drinking water: Originally 25 faucets had been put in across the stadium to provide consuming water however subsequently when some raised severe doubts concerning the high quality of the water, free consuming water in sachets is being distributed for all matches

Roofing: The cover cowl that was ripped off throughout heavy rains a few years in the past was utterly restored on the Southern Grand Stand and efforts are on, racing towards time, to have the quilt on all stands.

“The canopy in the southern camp is almost complete,” says Prasad. “On the east and west wings, work is going on in full swing, and the stadium will have a much better view once the work is complete. We wanted to change the entire seating with tip-up seats like the ones you find in the VIP enclosures in most of the stadiums and give that experience to all the spectators.”

“But for the World Cup, we will be able to do only half of it because we are not touching the east and west galleries where the work is still happening and also in the north and south top galleries as the canopy work is going on. But these will be complete immediately after the World Cup. A new stadium with canopy on all sides will be ready soon.”