Team India busy in net practice for third Test at Motera today
Ahmedabad: On February 24 last year, just when the pandemic was knocking on the door, Donald Trump , the then President of the world’s biggest superpower was overwhelmed by the massive crowd that had gathered at his reception at Motera, the world’s largest stadium.
Exactly a year after the (then) US President’s reception, Motera is now ready for its formal inauguration by the President of India Ram Nath Kovind tomorrow when the stadium hosts its first cricket match — the third of the ongoing India – England four test series, which is a day and night game to be played using the pink ball. The stadium also hosts the fourth and concluding test match.
Kovind is on a two-day visit to Gujarat from today and special arrangements have been made for the inauguration of the Motera Stadium by him. A special dome has been designed near the stadium and from here the President will unveil this cricket venue by virtual inauguration of the Motera Stadium. Besides, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Union Minister of State for Sports Kiran Rijiju, Gujarat Governor Acharya Devvrat and other dignitaries, foundation stone for new Sports Enclave will also be laid.
The President will be apprised of the model of Sports Enclave, to be built side by side the Motera stadium. After that the president will also visit – Hall of Fame in the stadium premises where photographs of famous cricketers from around the world are displayed. In addition, memories of all the matches played in Motera so far have been put together by pictures of about one hundred and fifty matches. The collection of autographed bats of all teams played in Motera in the 2011 World Cup are also put-up there. Kovind will later garland the statue of SardarVallabhbhai Patel at the stadium and will also interact with the players of Indian and England cricket teams.
Cricketing fever is tightly gripping the city with top cricketers to stay in the city for almost a month. After winning the second Test, the joy of cricket is skyrocketing and people are waiting eagerly for one more glorious victory against England. Today, both India and England had good net practice here. Motera’s pitch performance has become an important subject for cricket analysts.
However, although the renovated stadium has a capacity of 1.10 lakh spectators, only 50% of tickets have been sold as per Corona guidelines. The match will be telecast live with around 30 high-tech cameras including a drone camera. Stadium officials today fine-tuned the last minute preparations for huge lighting and camera set-up.
Various cameras such as main camera, strike zone camera, field camera, run out camera, hawk-eye camera are all equipped to capture all moments of excitement. Special arrangements have been made for tight security at Sabarmati and Gandhinagar including Motera Stadium.Everyone is now ready for tomorrow’s spectacular show of inauguration and test match as well.
– global bihari bureau
