World’s largest stadium being opened in two months

MOTERA, India: India is all set to inaugurate Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium in Ahmedabad in two months. The International Cricket Council has posted a picture of the stadium in Motera, claiming that it can accomodate 110,000 fans, foreign media reported.

The exhibition match between Asia XI and World XI in March 2020 is likely to be the first match played in the stadium. The cricket stadium will not only be utilised for national and international cricket matches but will also constitute an indoor cricket academy.

A community academy will be housed under the podium in the stadium, with a dormitory for up to 40 athletes, allowing students from across India and the globe to attend. The academy also has access to six indoor practice pitches and three outdoor practice fields.

Apart from being the world’s largest, the stadium will have different kinds of pitches — bouncy, spin friendly, or a mix of both — to suit the need of fast bowlers and spinners. The Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) which is executing the project, is preparing as many as 11 pitches.

“Some pitches will be prepared with red soil, while some will be with black soil and some may have a mix of both,” Dhanraj Nathwani, vice president of GCA told the media.

Moreover, it will have advanced drainage facilities that will flush out rainwater in 30 minutes. It means fewer matches will be stalled due to rain. “We have planned a sub-surface drainage system in such a way that the entire ground will dry within 30 minutes after the rain stops. It will help us reduce the chances of cancellation of matches due to rain,” Nathwani added.