BCCI VP Rajeev Shukla Defends Kanpur as Test Centre Amid Criticism – Sports India Show

The recent Test match between India and Bangladesh at Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium has sparked significant debate due to persistent rain interruptions. Despite the disruptions, BCCI Vice President Rajeev Shukla has staunchly defended Kanpur’s status as a Test match venue, emphasizing its historical significance and the planned infrastructure upgrades.

Rajeev Shukla highlights the Historical Significance and Heritage

Kanpur’s Green Park Stadium, an 80-year-old venue, holds a special place in Indian cricket history. Shukla highlighted that Green Park has been a permanent Test centre, hosting numerous memorable matches over the decades. “This ground is around 80 years old. It is our heritage ground. If you remember, it used to be a permanent Test centre,” Shukla stated.

The second Test against Bangladesh saw two full days of play washed out due to rain, with only 35 overs bowled across the first three days. Critics have pointed to the outdated drainage system and the inability to resume play despite brief periods of sunshine. Shukla acknowledged these issues but argued that weather-related disruptions are not unique to Kanpur. “There are many venues in the world where, because of rain, matches were abandoned,” he noted.

Shukla assured that plans are in place to upgrade Green Park’s infrastructure, including modernizing the drainage system. “When this ground was being built, 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 with high-tech, modern technology to take away the water,” Shukla explained.

Rotation Policy and Venue Selection

Responding to suggestions that Test cricket should be limited to a few major centres, Shukla defended the BCCI’s rotation policy. “India has five major centres in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kanpur. Kanpur was also one of them. So, it’s a permanent Test centre,” he stated.

Despite the rain disruptions, the enthusiasm of local fans in Kanpur has been unwavering. Shukla highlighted the strong support for cricket in the region, noting that fans turned up in large numbers even during the rain-affected days. “The history suggests that no match has been abandoned here in Kanpur. The fan support here is incredible, and it is important to keep that in mind when selecting venues,” he said.

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