Despite Ranchi getting the first ever Twenty-20 International match to be played at Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) Stadium between India and Sri lanka on February 12 at a very short notice, officials of the State cricket body claimed that they will be ready for the match by February 9. They said that the preparations for the match will be done on a war footing.
The second T-20 International was shifted from Delhi to Ranchi on Friday after DDCA expressed its inability to host the match following a snub from the Delhi High Court. The other two matches of the three-match series will be played at Pune on February 9 and at Visakhapatnam on February 14 respectively.
“Although it will be a first experience for us that we will be hosting a T-20 International match within such a short notice, we are quite hopeful that we will be able to conduct it successfully. As things have to be done on a war footing, we have already started working on it,” said Secretary of JSCA Rajesh Verma. By February 9, we will be ready for the match following which, tickets will be made available at JSCA counters, he said.
“We will have to work on war footing as people of international standard will be coming here at JSCA stadium as spectators,” said Verma. Getting the match in short notice will not be a hurdle for conducting the match successfully as U-19 matches are being played here continuously, said the Honourary Secretary.
“Wicket is almost ready; all we need is to prepare the outfield though watering and all,” said Verma.
Referring to the preparation related to accommodations of players and other guests, Verma added that teams were being prepared who will be looking after the all these arrangements. “While for catering and other requirements inside the box, tenders are being floated on the website. Those parties quoting best prices will be chosen for the job,” said Verma.
When asked about the ongoing controversy with HEC, where it has accused JSCA of violating the terms and conditions of lease agreement asking the latter to vacate the premises on which the JSCA International Stadium was founded in 2008, Verma said that the differences could be sorted out by sitting together.
“It is a matter of proud for all of us that we are going to host a T-20 International standard match here at Ranchi,” he added.
Curators, however, claimed that the filed need to be given extra attention as it has undergone extreme wear and tear due to regular tournaments played here in the last two months.
“We still have 10 days left in our hand to make it ready for the match. Since regular tournaments were played on the pitch in the last two-and-a-half months, the pitch has suffered extreme wear and tear, which needs to be corrected before the match,” said curator SB Singh. According to Singh, smooth supply of water during these days was also a cause of concern for them as it requires over 1,50000 litre water per day to top up the field.
The Indian cricket Board shifted second Twenty20 International between India and Sri lanka out of Delhi following uncertainty over the State unit obtaining clearances from the Delhi Government. The match on February 12 will now be played at JSCA Stadium in Ranchi.