In TimesofIndia.com Dharamsala: Around 5 pm on Saturday, Rohit Sharma was the first Indian cricketer to walk out at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala. The start of the first ODI between India and Afghanistan was delayed due to persistent rain, forcing the players to stick to some indoor cricket as the weather showed no mercy. The DJ tried his best to entertain the audience and the mighty Dholadhar gave a perfect tease in a very gloomy atmosphere. The cover finally arrived at 4.50 pm and it took just 15 minutes for the ground staff to prepare the outfield for the toss. Afghanistan’s openers were alert only 45 minutes after the cover was dismissed for the first time on the day.The entire ground was not covered, and the run-up area was protected only after heavy rainfall. As the rain subsided, the sub-surface drainage system worked its magic and within 20 minutes the field was ready for play.The HPCA Stadium is only the second cricket stadium in the country, after Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium, to have a drainage system that allows for minimal delays when the weather clears. Dharamsala acquired the technology ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup while Chinnaswamy has been using it for almost a decade.
A pictorial representation of the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru and its preparation for heavy rain. (Photo: Correspondence Photo/TimesofIndia.com)
No other venue in the country has warmed to the idea and continues to rely on traditional methods such as full ground cover – which was pushed for by then BCCI secretary Jay Shah ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup. It is known that Chepak explored the idea when he was relaying the entire outfield but initial discussions never materialized and he continued to use the traditional drainage system.How expensive is a subsurface drainage system?The sub-surface system used by Channaswamy and HPCA stadiums can cost anywhere between Rs 6-8 crore. Although this cost is at least five times higher than a traditional full ground cover, it eliminates a percentage of human error. With a drainage system, no association needs a full ground cover or an army of ground crews to move them seamlessly during disruptions.Regular maintenance is required, but the operational cost far outweighs the benefit.
A pictorial representation of the HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala and its preparation to deal with heavy rain. (Photo: Correspondence Photo/TimesofIndia.com)
“None of the associations are short of funds. The BCCI is giving them enough to maintain world-class infrastructure and it’s all about the right priorities. Fans and other stakeholders cannot be taken for a ride. Every washed-out cricket match is a wake-up call and it is the job of the organizers to ensure that infrastructure is the last hurdle,” explains a veteran BCCI official.TimesofIndia.com reached out to several stakeholders, and all were unanimous in explaining how a washed-out match affects finances. A comprehensive insurance plan covers most income streams. Although finances are not seriously affected, cricket and spectators – the most important stakeholders – are affected. There is some loss in ticket revenue as money has to be refunded if no ball is bowled.“The revenue stream is taken care of by insurance. Even the broadcaster loses little or nothing as the inventory runs out during rain-blocked capsules. The one who suffers is the spectator who paid the highest price for a seat in the stadium, and the teams participating in the match,” explains a key INCfraise CEO.
The income stream is taken care of through insurance. Even the broadcaster doesn’t suffer much as the inventory runs out during the rain-damaged capsule. One who suffers is a spectator.
An IPL CEO who did not want to be named.
“Every washed-out or abandoned fixture robs a team of momentum that could do big in the grand scheme of things,” added the CEO.The richest cricket board in the world has no shortage of resources and it is high time that the state associations re-set their priorities to ensure that the game of cricket does not suffer.
