Towhid Hridoy, Bangladesh’s middle-order batter, anticipates that the pitch will exhibit slow conditions during the T20 series opener against India. As both teams prepare to face off, they are entering uncharted territory, with the Shrimant Madhavrao Stadium set to host its inaugural international match on Sunday. Hridoy’s insights reflect the uncertainty surrounding the new venue, adding an intriguing layer to the matchup as players adapt to the unique playing conditions in this exciting contest.
Towhid Hridoy Talked About Gwalior Pitch:
On Saturday, Bangladesh completed their third practice session at the venue. Following the training, Towhid Hridoy shared his thoughts on the Gwalior pitch, offering insights into the conditions that the team would face in the upcoming matches and how it might affect their gameplay.
He said, “ T20 is a game of runs, every team want to score runs. But no international match has happened here, it is a new venue. We don’t know what will be the condition. Looking at the practice wicket, I feel it is a slow pitch. In such wickets having a high-scoring game is very less. No IPL match has also happened here.”
Hridoy emphasized that the team aims to secure the series victory, despite the absence of their star all-rounder, Shakib Al Hasan, who recently announced his retirement from T20 and Test formats. His experience will be missed, but the squad remains determined to perform well.
He further said, “ Pressure is always there, but if we think about that then we will not be able to perform well, our focus is always on process and how to perform. Shakib bhai is not there, we will miss him but everyone has to go one day, we are hopeful we will be able to beat them.”
Organizers Rushing to Prepare Stadium for Debut:
Although the playing field at the newly constructed facility is set, organizers are making a final push to complete the finishing touches in the stands and surrounding areas of the stadium. Their efforts aim to ensure everything is perfect for the upcoming international debut, reflecting their commitment to delivering an exceptional experience for fans and players alike.
A host of VIPs are anticipated to attend the landmark match, prompting urgent repair efforts on the access road to the stadium, which is situated on the city’s outskirts. Recent heavy rainfall caused extensive damage to the roads, and a wall surrounding the stadium collapsed a few weeks prior, necessitating swift action to ensure everything is ready for the event.
As one enters the stadium, it’s evident that preparations are in full swing just a day before the match. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association has dispatched a team from its Indore hub to oversee operations and ensure everything runs smoothly for the upcoming event.
An official said, “ We have been here for more than a week. It takes more time to get work done in Gwalior compared to Indore. The elevators in one of the stands only got installed in the morning. Thank god it is a day-night game, otherwise fans would have a tough time sitting in stands without a roof.”
Stay updated with all the cricketing action, follow Cricadium on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram and Instagram
