Rajiv Shukla, the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), announced on Monday that the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) is in active discussions with the state government to enhance the conditions of Green Park Stadium in Kanpur. This historic venue is currently hosting the ongoing Test match between India and Bangladesh. The announcement comes in the wake of two consecutive days—Day 2 and Day 3—where play was entirely disrupted by rain. Though there were minor drizzles on Saturday, there was no rainfall on Sunday. Nevertheless, the wet outfield prevented any play from taking place.
Addressing the situation, Shukla remarked, “Sometimes, despite our prayers to Lord Indra for clear skies, rain is inevitable. This is a global phenomenon, and it’s unfair to single out Kanpur and Green Park for something beyond human control.” Shukla, who previously served as the president of UPCA, made these comments during the sidelines of the second Test.
Highlighting the unprecedented nature of the disruption, Shukla commented, “This is the first instance in 80 years where rain has obstructed our ability to host a match for two full days. Historically, no matches here have ever been abandoned due to rain. Various global venues have had matches abandoned due to rain. Technologies that enable swift water removal were not available when Green Park was built. Nowadays, such technologies are available. For instance, our stadium in Lucknow features advanced drainage systems. We’re also constructing a high-tech stadium in Varanasi with modern technology to handle water efficiently.”
Shukla disclosed that he had extensive discussions with the administration regarding implementing a system to quickly absorb rainwater. “Immediately upon arriving at Green Park, I engaged with the authorities. They are aligned with our vision, and I believe we can improve the ground conditions in the near future.
. This involves substantial groundwork, including deep excavation and the installation of new technology,” he noted.
Recent trends have seen UPCA opting to host more high-profile matches at the modernized Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. Consequently, Test cricket has been played in Kanpur only twice in the last eight years. Addressing the criticism over Green Park’s recent inability to facilitate play even with minor drizzles, Shukla defended the strategy of distributing Test cricket across various venues rather than limiting it to a few centers. This suggestion was counter to perspectives shared by some current and former cricketers.
“We adhere to a rotation policy,” Shukla clarified. “India boasts a multitude of venues, unlike nations like Australia. Hence, we must ensure each venue gets its share of opportunities.”
He elaborated on the rationale, stating, “Metropolitan cities that frequently host cricket matches—including IPL and bilateral series—often experience reduced spectator turnout as the novelty wears off. This led to the innovative idea of organizing Test matches in B-grade cities with adequate infrastructure to attract more fans.
Reflecting on the enthusiasm displayed by cricket fans in Kanpur, Shukla observed, “Green Park has seen near-full attendance. Even on days when rain halted play, many fans showed up. This clearly indicates there is a significant appetite for cricket among the people here.”
In summary, Rajiv Shukla’s assertions underline the critical need for infrastructural advancement at Green Park stadium to combat weather disruptions. Additionally, his insights advocate for a broader dissemination of Test cricket across India’s diverse venues to cultivate and maintain audience engagement. The collaboration between UPCA and the state government marks a promising step towards revamping Green Park into a more resilient and technologically equipped cricketing venue. With the planned upgrades, the stadium aims to keep pace with modern cricketing demands and provide an even more enjoyable experience for fans and players alike.