Controversy-ridden Hyderabad Cricket Association has something to cheer about amidst testing times. For, the BCCI on Friday shifted the venue of the third Test match between India and Australia, originally scheduled to be held in Kanpur from March 14 (for delay in construction) to the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Uppal here.
“We are very lucky and very happy,” exclaimed HCA Secretary M. V. Sridhar in a chat with ‘The Hindu’. “It is a huge honour given the fact that we will be hosting the second Test match (the previous one being against New Zealand) in the space of six months,” he observed.
Given the intensity of the cricketing battle expected during the Test match which many widely perceive to be ‘revenge series’ after the 40- drubbing India got ‘Down Under’ early this year, HCA is optimistic of a huge response from the crowd.
“We are grateful to the BCCI for allotting this match and we are already in the preparatory mood,” Sridhar pointed out.
“Definitely, we will make every effort to make the spectators’ experience much better this time around. We have more time in preparations unlike for the previous Test against the Kiwis,” Sridhar said.
“We are grateful to the BCCI for allotting this Test match and we are already thinking of plans to ensure that every day it is a full-house,” the HCA official remarked.
“Yes, we will discuss within the Executive Committee about the idea of free entry for school students – that is earmark a separate segment for them – in the stands daily. But again, I cannot give a commitment straight away on this subject,” Sridhar said to a query.
Well, this is great news for the die-hard fans of cricket in general and for those of the batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar, who if he available for that Test, should be playing for one last time in Hyderabad, one of his favourite venues.
