The sport of cricket is spreading from the City of Holkars to the City of Scindias as the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) constructs a new cricket stadium in Gwalior. Pictures of a cricket facility under construction in the city of Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, gained widespread attention on social media. According to the most recent sources, the completion of the new international cricket stadium is anticipated to occur in 2024. The construction of the stadium is now underway and it will be both owned and administered by the MPCA, therefore becoming the second international facility in the state.
Situated adjacent to the AB Road (Agra-Mumbai National Highway) in close proximity to Shankarpur Village, the establishment will be equipped with six floodlights and eight entrances, including dedicated gates for media and press, cricketers, as well as MPCA members and personnel. Upon completion of the development, the stadium is projected to have a seating capacity ranging from 30,000 to 45,000. A Ranji Trophy match between the teams of Madhya Pradesh (MP) and Odisha is scheduled to take place at the venue from January 12 to January 15, 2024. This match will serve as a valuable assessment before the ground is deemed completely prepared for international matches.
Gwalior New International Cricket Stadium 🏟
It Will be Completed By Next Year.
Credits – Ayushkedarjain pic.twitter.com/wSnAJA0qjq
— The Madhya Pradesh Index (@mp_index) December 23, 2023
The city of Gwalior previously had several cricket matches in the Captain Roop Singh Stadium, which is located around 12 kilometers away from the modern stadium. The most recent match conducted at the site took place between India and South Africa in 2010. The match achieved a significant milestone in the annals of cricket literature, as Sachin Tendulkar became the first individual to achieve a double century, accomplishing this famous feat in a mere 147 deliveries.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has, however, added a new requirement that requires state organizations to have their own stadium. As a result, the Roop Singh Stadium, which was converted into a cricket field in the 1980s after originally being used for hockey, is no longer eligible to host any more international matches. Consequently, the new stadium will be the second international stadium in the state.
Significantly, the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) is the exclusive proprietor of the Holkar Stadium in Indore, which is now the only officially acknowledged stadium in Madhya Pradesh. Private colleges and grounds, such as Daly International School and College Cricket Ground, Emerald High School Cricket Ground, Yeshwant Club Ground, Nehru Stadium, and Central Gymkhana Ground, all located in Indore, were utilized to host additional matches for domestic tournaments like Syed Mushtaq Ali (SMAT) and Ranji Trophy matches. Prior to this, matches have been held in cities such as Ratlam, Ujjain, Mhow, and Bhopal in the state of Madhya Pradesh.
The construction of the new stadium in Gwalior would enhance the cricketing infrastructure in the country and strengthen the domestic facilities in Madhya Pradesh. This will enable the state association to stage numerous matches, relieving the burden on Holkar, which is situated at Janjeerwala Square, New Palasia.
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