Located in a tranquil and secluded area on the outskirts of Pune, the stadium made its debut on the international stage in 2012 when India faced off against England. Subsequently, it attained the prestigious Test status in 2016.
This sports arena, with a seating capacity of 42,700, has become a magnet for both players and fans due to its remarkable ability to witness high-scoring contests.
The upcoming 2023 ICC Men's World Cup will see the MCA Stadium host its first match on 19 October, featuring the home team taking on Bangladesh. This renowned venue is slated to host a total of five matches during the tournament.
The MCA Stadium has gained recognition for providing conducive pitches for competitive encounters, as evidenced by the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches played there. It stands as a noteworthy addition to India's burgeoning cricket infrastructure. The stadium hosted its maiden One Day International (ODI) in 2013, and India has since participated in seven ODIs at this venue.
In cricket, rain delays and interruptions are common, often leading to the abandonment of matches due to inadequate drainage systems. To mitigate this issue, the MCA has opted for a sand-based outfield. This sand-based outfield has been meticulously installed by the MCA, with technical guidance from the Sports Turf Research Institute in the UK. The drainage system incorporates various layers, including a gravel layer, washed grit and sand layers, and a rootzone layer consisting of silica sand, zeolite, and cocopeat. These elements have been meticulously employed to enhance the drainage system's efficiency.
The choice for the outfield grass is Bermuda grass, and the MCA has sourced a pre-grown turf from Golf Designs in Mysore. Rigorous testing has demonstrated the drainage system's effectiveness, ensuring that even during heavy downpours, water rapidly drains from the outfield as designed, allowing the game to resume within a matter of minutes. Additionally, an automatic pop-up sprinkler system has been installed, courtesy of Jain Irrigation Ltd., to ensure precise, timely, and systematic irrigation of the outfield. (Information sourced from ICC and MCA)
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