BCCI vice-president Rajiv Shukla defended the facilities at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium, which faced criticism after minimal rain led to the abandonment of two days of play in the second India-Bangladesh Test. “We expect criticism in BCCI administration,” Shukla stated on Monday. He noted that Kanpur has historically been a permanent Test venue, one of the original six alongside Kolkata, Chennai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Mumbai. He emphasized that this was the first time in 80 years that heavy rain had caused two days of abandoned play.
While acknowledging the recent issues, Shukla pointed out that the rainfall primarily impacted the hours leading up to play, overwhelming the stadium’s drainage system. He pointed out that the Green Park Stadium has not had any matches abandoned in its long history, except for a 2017 Duleep Trophy game where weather limited play.
However, he acknowledged the need for improvements to the venue’s facilities. Shukla pointed out that modern drainage technology is now available, highlighting that new stadiums like those in Lucknow and Varanasi are equipped with advanced systems. He mentioned ongoing discussions with local government officials to enhance the stadium’s drainage capabilities, ensuring quick water removal.
“The stadium belongs to the government, but the UPCA is responsible for its upkeep based on an MoU,” Shukla explained. He expressed optimism about implementing necessary upgrades soon, stating, “We are on the same page with the authorities.” He also highlighted that weather-related issues can occur anywhere in the world, urging for understanding rather than blame directed at Kanpur and Green Park.
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