After a 14-year hiatus, international cricket is set to return to Gwalior as the city gears up to host the first T20I between India and Bangladesh at the newly built Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium. According to Abhilash Khandekar, President of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), Gwalior will no longer have to wait years for high-profile matches. The city will now host India games alternatively with Indore, the state’s other cricketing hub.
Gwalior’s Cricket Revival
Gwalior has a deep-rooted cricketing legacy, and the return of international matches is a major boost for the city.
Khandekar emphasised that both Gwalior and Indore have rich cricketing histories, and the MPCA intends to leverage both venues by alternating them for hosting India’s international fixtures.
The move aligns with the BCCI and ICC’s preference for dedicated cricket stadiums, ensuring both cities become key fixtures on India’s cricketing map.
The state-of-the-art stadium, which replaced the deteriorating Captain Roop Singh Stadium, was inaugurated in June 2024 and promises to be a world-class venue for cricket.
Khandekar expressed excitement about the upcoming T20 match and future possibilities for Gwalior to host Tests. The new stadium can hold up to 30,000 spectators, and tickets for the series opener are already sold out.
Overcoming Challenges
Organising an international match in a smaller city like Gwalior presents unique challenges, particularly during the rainy season.
However, Khandekar and the MPCA have successfully tackled these hurdles, ensuring that the stadium and the surrounding infrastructure are fully prepared for the game.
The commitment of the MPCA staff, who arrived well in advance to oversee preparations, has been crucial to making this event a reality.
India Vs Bangladesh T20 Series
The India vs Bangladesh 1st T20I will take place on Sunday, October 6, 2024, at the New Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium in Gwalior.
After winning the Test series 2-0, India will focus on the T20 format with several youngsters like Mayank Yadav and Harshit Rana looking to shine.
Senior players like Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya will lead the side, while Bangladesh begins a new phase without Shakib Al Hasan.
Fans can watch the live telecast on Sports18 Network, while the match will be streamed on JioCinema
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