New Delhi: Taking a cue from Sunny Deol’s famous dialogue in hind film Damini, fans in Kanpur be like Washout after washout, washout after washout, washout after washout but the match has not started yet Secretary Sahib. Unable to witness live action after waiting more than three years for an international match to be staged at the Green Park Stadium, the fans’ frustration is understandable. For the second consecutive day, no play was possible at Green Park as Day 3 of the second and final Test match of the series between India and Bangladesh was called off without a ball being bowled.
The fact that it was a washout without rain is enraging for the players and the spectators. There was not a single drop of rain since Sunday morning and yet the umpires, after their second inspection at 2 PM IST, called off the day due to wet outfield.
Overnight rain in Kanpur had left some wet patches on the ground but despite the sun out around the afternoon, the groundstaff were unable to dry out the soggy areas of the field, forcing the umpires to eventually call off the third day.
Kanpur: Match officials inspect the ground at the Green Park Stadium on the third day of the second test cricket match between India and Bangladesh, in Kanpur, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. A wet outfield due to overnight rain has delayed the start of play on day three of the match on Sunday. (PTI Photo)
The abandonment left fans on social media enraged, who raised questions about the facilities including the drainage system, and also labelled Green Park as the “worst venue”. Fans didn’t spare the BCCI, the richest cricket board in the world, over the poor infrastructure at the ground.
A nightmare for the spectators
The last three days have turned out to be a nightmare for the spectators, who have travelled to Kanpur from different parts of the state. The fans left the venue disheartened and heartbroken over the state of affairs at one of the iconic stadiums in the country, which has been hosting Test cricket since 1952.
Kanpur: Spectators wait for the start of play on the third day of the second test cricket match between India and Bangladesh, in Kanpur, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024. A wet outfield due to overnight rain has delayed the start of play on day three of the match on Sunday. (PTI Photo)
“I am deeply feeling bad, Green Park is one of the oldest stadiums and we got a Test match after three years. The game should have continued for all five days, It’s the UPCA and the match organizers, who should be blamed. They are not taking proper care of it. We are coming from different parts of the state and investing money to watch the match but of what use,” said a fan from Fatehpur.
“This Green Park should not get any money, everything is going wrong here. The house is made as if it has many amenities. but they can’t even conduct a match on a day when it was a proper sunny. Green Park shouldn’t get a match, I am happy to travel to Lucknow or Varanasi but not Green Park,” another fan from Kanpur said.
Matter of shame for BCCI
The Kanpur washout rows show a cricket board that has set red-ball cricket as the top priority with its actions and decisions, in an extremely poor light. With a place in the World Test Championship final at stake, the board should have chosen a venue that ensures no hindrance in play due to facilities.
The number of matches Kanpur has hosted in the last decade is few and far between and there is a reason for it. The outdated facilities and creaking infrastructure diminish the spectator experience but this time around it was even worse as poor drainage facilities forced the abandonment of play even when there was no rain.
As an Indian cricket fan, the Kanpur washout is another embarrassing moment. Money is flowing for BCCI, yet the lack of basic facilities at a Test match venue is a matter of shame for the richest cricket board. Even the less privileged Sri Lanka Cricket Board has better drainage facilities and ground staff to get the ground ready in time after heavy downpours.
Earlier this month, shambolic facilities at a stadium in Great Noida came under the scanner after a one-off Test between Afghanistan and New Zealand was called off without a ball being bowled.
Why are matches being scheduled at venues that are not fit to stage international cricket?
It can also be argued that BCCI and state boards are spending most of their revenue on building new stadiums instead of renovating and modernising the old ones. In that case, should the international matches be only limited to new venues?
Or should BCCI pick exclusive venues to host Test cricket in the country?
These are some of the questions BCCI needs to answer to enrich the experience of the spectators and save themselves and Indian fans the embarrassment of debacles like the Kanpur Test.
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