The newly built Sardar Patel Motera Stadium as it is officially known, the world's largest cricket stadium will create history when it hosts India and England in the two cricket tests and five T20 international matches starting on February 24.
In a month-long cricketing carnival in Ahmedabad, the teams will clash with each other in seven international matches, including a day-night test match.
It will be the first time in cricketing history two nations will play consecutive seven matches at the same venue.
Highlights
- India and England will play seven international cricket matches at Motera Stadium, making it the first venue to host seven consecutive international matches in India.
- The pink ball test will be the first-ever international cricket match to be played at the venue after its new construction.
- Motera is the only stadium in the world that provides world-class facilities with 11 pitches in the field and four dressing rooms with a built-in gymnasium.
With the capacity for 110,000 spectators, the gigantic Motera Stadium will be filled up to 50 per cent capacity in the third test match due to ongoing COVID-19 restrictions in the state.
It will be the first-ever international cricket match to be played at this venue after its new construction.
The only cricket stadium to have these facilities...
Australian company Populous designed the new Motera Stadium. It was built in collaboration with India's Larsen & Toubro. It provides world-class facilities to both players and audience.
- The refurbished stadium sprawls over 63 acres of land and can accommodate 110,000 spectators at a time.
- It will provide top-class facilities to the participating teams, which includes the newly-installed LED floodlights, that will eliminate shadows, making it easier to spot the ball.
- Motera is the only stadium in the world with 11 pitches on the ground and four dressing rooms with a built-in gymnasium.
- The main pavilion of the stadium has 76 air-conditioned corporate boxes having a seating capacity of 25 nos. each
- A state-of-the-art sub-soil drainage system for the playfield enables water to be drained within 30 minutes from the time it stops raining, and play can resume.
An uninterrupted view of the field
Every seat of the stadium has an uninterrupted view of the field and the pitch. The open stadium will provide 360-degree views that will enhance the spectator's experience.
Motera stadium in Ahmedabad is World's largest cricket stadium. Source: Sagar Patel
President Kovind to inaugurate the stadium
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind will inaugurate the stadium along with Home Minister Amit Shah, after which the pink ball test match between India and England will begin at the refurbished stadium.
Teams preparing for the pink-ball test
With the series equal at 1-1, host India and visitors England have arrived in Ahmedabad and started their preparation for the upcoming matches.
'Love the newest stadium'
The new-look stadium has not only caught the attention of fans but cricketers too.
Not only Indian players but English cricketers, too, showed their excitement to take to the field in Motera.
Wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh Pant tweeted, "Fantastic to be at the new facility in Motera, great to see such world-class facilities for cricket in Ahmedabad. Looking forward to taking the field here on the 24th."
English bowler Stuart Broad filmed a video of him entering the stadium for the first time.
US President Donald Trump (L) looks on as India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi waves during 'Namaste Trump' rally at Motera Stadium. Source: MANDEL NGAN/AFP via Getty Images
12 months to the day since the 'Namaste Trump' event
The stadium's first official event post-reconstruction was 'Namaste Trump,' when Prime Minister Narendra Modi hosted the then United States President Donald Trump on February 24, 2020. After a year, India and England will take on each other in an inaugural match at the reconstructed venue.
