A little over 25-year-old, the Motera stadium is all set for another big feat, to host the quarter-final of the 2011 World Cup, co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Some of the most memorable moments of Indian cricket have been linked to the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad. Sunil Gavaskar scored his 10,000th Test run at this ground, and Kapil Dev broke Richard Hadlee's record of maximum Test wickets here.
Now, a little over 25-year-old, the stadium is all set for another big feat, to host the quarter-final of the 2011 World Cup, co-hosted by India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. In all, the stadium will host three World cup matches.
In the two and half decades, the stadium has gone through a sea of change. Floodlights, gymnasium, practice wickets and indoor facilities have made the 54,000-capacity stadium a special. "Infrastructure wise, Motera has grown immensely. Apart from gymnasium and indoor facility, it has two more grounds in the vicinity. The stadium has drawn everyone's attention," said Dhiraj Parsana, former Test cricketer and pitch curator.
Rajesh Patel, the new Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) secretary, is understandably excited with the development. "It is a great opportunity. After a long time, we will have big matches. I am confident that it will be a runaway success. We will be working hard as a team," he said.
There is one more reason for Patel to be jubilant. Ahmedabad is set to witness a cricket carnival early next year. First, it will host the former Indian Premier League (IPL) champions Rajasthan Royals during the IPL-3 in March-April. "Around the same time, we will welcome South Africans for an ODI in the bilateral series," said the GCA secretary.
Amdavadis will also get a chance to watch Sri Lankans who will play a Test in the city.
Ironically, the man largely referred to as the mentor of Sardar Patel Gujarat stadium, Motera, has no longer a say in the GCA. Narhari Amin, the former GCA chief, however is a happy and content man.
"I am very happy that the Ahmedabad has got three important WC matches, including a quarter-final," said Amin, who was replaced by chief minister Narendra Modi as new president of GCA last month.
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