Afghanistan cricket team recently hosted a Test match against New Zealand in Greater Noida. Unfortunately, because of rain, the match got abandoned, with not a single delivery being bowled in the five-day Test match.
ACB officials disclosed that the BCCI offered them venues like Kanpur and Bengaluru also, but they chose Greater Noida because it had greater connectivity with Kabul. It is pertinent to note that BCCI banned the Greater Noida ground in 2017, which is why even Afghanistan should look beyond it, and here’s a list of five other Indian stadiums which they should consider.
1. Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, Surat
Surat is home to the Lalbhai Contractor Stadium, which hosts the Legends League tournament matches. The venue has even hosted first-class games and CSK team’s practice sessions in the past.
2. Holkar Stadium, Indore
With the new stadium built in Gwalior, Indore’s Holkar Stadium is likely to slip to the second spot whenever BCCI allots matches to the MPCA. Hence, Indore could be a home venue for the Afghan team.
3. Rajiv Gandhi Stadium, Dehradun
This is a venue, which the Afghan team has used as an adopted home in the past. There is no reason why the ACB officials should consider the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium of Dehradun again to host their home matches.
4. Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur
Jaipur has not been a regular choice to host India’s matches. Even Rajasthan Royals shift their IPL games to Barsapara Cricket Stadium at times. Hence, it can be a great chance for the Afghan team to use this venue as their home.
5. Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai
Brabourne Stadium has hosted several international and IPL matches in the past. However, the venue has fallen out of favor for BCCI matches. ACB can perhaps utilize it and build it as their home turf.
