The life and blood of India, cricket, is famous in Raipur too. Raipur is very well known for its recently built International Cricket Stadium. Constructed in 2008, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of nearly over 65,000. Being an Indian, it is a mandatory and a thrilling visit when one steps into the city.
This International Cricket Stadium was first inaugurated in 2010, when the Canadian National Cricket team arrived for their first time ever and played a practice match against our very own Chhattisgarh State Team. Soon enough in 2013, the stadium was declared the second host venue for the Delhi Daredevil Team of the Indian Premier League. Two of the team matches have also been hosted here already.
Sunil Gavaskar the cricketer turned commentator rated the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium as one of the best stadiums in the entire country and that he proposed to utilize it to its fullest for all types of matches.
Indian Cricket Team Player Irfan Pathan quoted, “When opportunities are created, and such facilities are in place, there is the hope that cricketers will emerge. I hope to play again in this wonderful Venue.
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium | Image Resource : yampblog.blogspot.com
The Making Of The Stadium
Though the construction of the stadium began in 2001, it took time for its completion. The Government of Chhattisgarh has been solely responsible for its designing and development and owns it till date. A modern sports arena had been incorporated into the structure. During its remodeling, the media facilities have been enhanced, the corporate box/seats have been made plusher and the roofs have been extended to cover the remaining ground to maintain temperature.
This International Cricket Stadium has been constructed in the new capital, Naya Raipur- One of the finest and most well planned cities the world is yet to see. The stadium has also hosted a Half-Marathon on December 16 2012, based on the theme “Let us Run” marking Vijay Diwas.
The stadium has hosted to date eight T20 matches during the 2014 Champions League T20. This also includes two group stage games as well as all of the six qualifier matches. For the first time ever in the history of CLT20 Cricket, the qualifiers were all sold out and the matches were double-headers.
I wish I get to make another trip to this stadium probably during the next IPL or CLT20 series.
Afreen Travel Bug 