The construction of the revamped Motera stadium is complete, making it the world’s largest cricket ground, beating Melbourne's MCG.
The Gujarat Cricket Association says the $154 million stadium will hold 110,000 spectators at a time, significantly more than the MCG which has a 100,024 seating capacity.
It means the MCG in Melbourne has had to relinquish its crown of the largest cricket stadium in the world.
Brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi
“Initially, we were planning to increase the capacity of the stadium from the existing 54,000 by demolishing some part only and increasing the capacity to around 70,000," Dhanraj Nathwani, Vice President of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) said.
But in 2013, then President of Gujarat Cricket Association and current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, suggested demolishing the entire stadium and building a completely new one which would have the largest capacity in the world with world-class facilities.
“The team from the GCA visited the world’s best-known cricket stadiums in Australia, England and other countries to see and identify the best aspects from each stadium that could then be incorporated in the new Motera stadium.”
The newly constructed Motera stadium - officially known as the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium - will not only host cricket matches but facilities across 25 hectares will also be available for other sporting competitions and events including swimming, hockey, and football.
A view of the stadium under construction at Motera, some 11km from Ahmedabad, on January 25, 2019. Source: Getty
The stadium will also offer LED floodlights for the first time in India, as well as an Olympic-sized swimming pool and lavish media facilities.
Cricket fans in Ahmedabad and Australia are excited
Ahmedabad resident Sagar Patel said he's been looking forward to this for the past five years. "The day has come. I am looking forward to witnessing my favorite cricketers playing in the largest stadium."
Local cricketer Shailesh Thakkar said, "The stadium provides a gymnasium, practice pitches, swimming pool, badminton courts, and other world-class facilities which will not only help cricketers for the match but also enhance the general public's experience."
Karan Shah, originally from Ahmedabad and now living in Melbourne can't wait.
Motera Cricket Stadium, also known as Sardar Patel Stadium, is reflected on the surface of Sabarmati River. Source: Getty
“I am waiting for the first match to be allocated to Motera stadium. Probably, Motera will host its first match in January 2021 and I am planning to go to Ahmedabad to watch the match,” he told SBS Gujarati.
US President Trump to visit Motera on February 24
Donald Trump is making his first official two-day trip to India from Monday, February 24, with an agenda including smoothing ties strained by trade disputes.
He, together with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will visit the stadium on Monday when he arrives in Ahmedabad.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the visit President Trump said he "happens to like PM Modi a lot. He told me we will have 7 million people between the airport and the event. It's going to be the largest stadium in the world. It's going to be very exciting."
According to the Chief Minister of Gujarat Mr Vijay Rupani, it will be a historic day for the nation, when over 100,000 people will welcome Donald Trump.
US President Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Ahmedabad during his Feb. 24-25 India trip. Source: AAP
However, some local residents of a nearby slum claimed they were served with eviction notices. A half-kilometer brick wall had also been erected, with critics suggesting it was built to block the view of a slum area.
That's been fiercely denied by Vijay Nehra, Commissioner of Ahmedabad Municipal Council who that "the decision to build a 4 feet wall was taken 2 months ago to prevent encroachments on footpath & road. I had personally visited the slum & offered houses to the residents."
Indian residents of a slum near the stadium hold eviction notices served to them Feb 18, 2020. Source: AAP
2023 Cricket World Cup final at Motera?
Gujarat Cricket Association's Dhanraj Nathwani says “It will be for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to decide which international matches are to be allocated to the Motera stadium.”
But some reports say that the BCCI has already decided that the venue will host one of the day-night tests against England in January and February 2021.
With India hosting the next ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023 will the final be held at Motera?
“The decision will be taken by the ICC and the BCCI," Dhanraj Nathwani said, "but being the world’s largest and most modern cricket stadium, along with the highest number of corporate boxes at 75, we surely are much better placed than any other stadium in India to host the World Cup final."
