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Kanpur's Green Park is one of the oldest venues in India. In the past week, the venue has been under criticism for sorry state of one of the stands followed by entire Day 3 of second Test between India and Bangladesh getting washed out due to wet outfield. While many have said that venues with better drainage facilities should get to host Test cricket, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) vice president Rajiv Shukla has labeled Green Park as ‘permanent Test centre’.
"The history suggests that no match has been abandoned here in Kanpur. There are many venues in the world where because of the rains, matches have been abandoned. So here if for two days the match couldn't take place, I don't think there should be too much hue and cry," Shukla said. "When this ground was being built, and the stadium was being built, then those technologies were not available. Now technologies are available. Like in our Lucknow stadium, we have got that technology. And in Varanasi, we are building another stadium. There we have got high-tech, modern technology to take away the rainwater.
"Here also we are planning. The moment I came here, I had a long discussion with government officials because this stadium belongs to the government. We are in agreement with them. So, now for that, the ground has to be dug, new technology has to be applied and everything has to be done. So, immediately after coming here, I had a discussion with the authorities and they are also on the same page and I think we will be able to improve the conditions here shortly."
Kanpur venue set for a makeover
The second Test is crucial for India considering the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 standings. A draw in the second Test is the last thing Rohit Sharma-led India would hope for. He pointed out that no Test match has been abandoned at the venue. In addition, he said that technologies at present were not available when the ground was built. He ensured that the board has had discussions with the state government to modernise the venue.
"The history suggests that no match has been abandoned here in Kanpur. There are many venues in the world where because of the rains, matches have been abandoned. So here if for two days the match couldn't take place, I don't think there should be too much hue and cry," Shukla said. "When this ground was being built, and the stadium was being built, then those technologies were not available. Now technologies are available. Like in our Lucknow stadium, we have got that technology. And in Varanasi, we are building another stadium. There we have got high-tech, modern technology to take away the rainwater.
"Here also we are planning. The moment I came here, I had a long discussion with government officials because this stadium belongs to the government. We are in agreement with them. So, now for that, the ground has to be dug, new technology has to be applied and everything has to be done. So, immediately after coming here, I had a discussion with the authorities and they are also on the same page and I think we will be able to improve the conditions here shortly."
India in control in Kanpur
Meanwhile, on Day 4, India managed to infuse life into the game. After bowling out Bangladesh for 233 despite Mominul Haque’s century, India broke several records as they scored at a never-seen-before run rate breaking several records. Rohit declared when India were 285/9 and then Ravichandran Ashwin took two wickets in the last hour. Bangladesh have eight wickets in hand and trail by 26 runs.
