Afghanistan vs New Zealand: Why is Greater Noida stadium hosting a Test match?

Greater Noida and cricket aren't exactly synonymous, neither is its stadium counted among top venues for matches for top tier domestic fixtures like Ranji Trophy, let alone international cricket.

But having found itself as host for a one-off Test between Afghanistan, which is the 'home' team here, and New Zealand, its unsuitability as a venue for serious cricket is in national spotlight.

Part of the Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, the stadium is maintained by the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority (GNIDA). It doesn't come under the aegis of Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and doesn't have a super sopper to quickly dry a wet outfield, enough ground covers to protect it or adequately trained ground staff who can manage a problem like inclement weather.

The condition of the outfield, because of rain, meant no play was possible on the first two days of the Test match. With all eyes currently are on match referee Javagal Srinath's report on the preparedness of the stadium, questions are being asked why a ground that has hosted no serious cricket since 2020 was thought to be a venue that could host an international Test match.




Pink ball moment
With a seating capacity of 8,000, the stadium was built by GNIDA for Rs 150 crore in 2013 to host cricket and football matches. Basketball, volleyball courts and a skating rink were introduced in 2014, while an indoor hall was added in 2017.

In 2015, the sports complex got approval to host domestic matches and fixtures involving associate countries. The stadium shot into limelight when BCCI hosted the Duleep Trophy in Aug-Sept 2016 here, the first instance in India when first-class matches were played with pink balls and under lights.

Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), however, has been reluctant to host domestic matches at the venue. The last BCCI match that was played at the venue was an U-19 Cooch Behar Trophy contest between Delhi and Haryana in 2019. That was because the Delhi and District Cricket Association didn't have any ground available to host the game.

In NCR, UPCA prefers to host domestic matches at Mohan Meakins Ground and Nehru Stadium in Ghaziabad.

But it's not like the Greater Noida ground hasn't seen any international cricket. Having been the 'home' ground of the Afghan cricket team, it hosted three T20 matches between Afghanistan and Ireland in March 2020 just before the Covid-19 lockdown was imposed.

The stadium recently hosted a few veterans' matches. Other than that, just corporate matches are played there.

Ad hoc staff for major events
A management committee, under the GNIDA CEO, manages its affairs. Twenty support staff, hired through an external agency, assist in organising matches. During major events, like the Duleep Trophy, additional manpower is brought in and trained to manage various responsibilities, such as pitch coverage and crowd management.

Sources said drainage conditions of the ground are on a par with other international venues, sources said. But the stadium has had its problems with rain. During the Duleep Trophy, a match was affected by heavy rain, but could be completed the next day. BCCI's proficiency meant the ground was properly covered and had equipment to dry it up faster.

Sources told TOI the stadium has not been maintained properly in the last few years. Just before the Afghanistan-New Zealand Test was announced, GNIDA invested around Rs 60 lakh to prepare the ground. But heavy rain the preceding evening spoilt the outfield, and it has still not recovered. On Tuesday, GNIDA's additional CEOs Prerna Singh and Ashutosh Dwivedi supervised efforts to bail out water.

High ambitions
GNIDA has decided to develop Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex, which spans 38 acres, into a centre of sports excellence. In Oct last year, it invited private sports companies to take over the complex's operations and transform it into a hub for nurturing budding talent. However, the initial effort did not receive the desired response.

The sports complex offers state-of-the-art facilities for lawn tennis, table tennis, basketball, badminton, skating, football, cricket, and swimming. It also features a club with amenities such as a food court, open amphitheatre, and conference room.

GNIDA, sources said, is renewing efforts to enlist private sector partners for the complex's operation, maintenance and management. The selected operator will have the flexibility to establish sports academies and manage additional revenue-generating activities, aiming to make the complex a thriving sports hub once again.


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