ICC World Cup 2023: Pune's MCA International Stadium finds its rightful place in cricket history

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On the 20th of October 2023, the MCA International Cricket Stadium will host the first ever World Cup Cricket match at Pune. It will certainly be a treat to watch the men in blue, taking on Bangladeshi Cricketers at this beautiful cricket stadium in Pune.

This stadium is considered to be one of the most modern stadia, comparable with any other venue in the world. Around the year 2010, the Maharashtra Cricket Association strongly felt the necessity of having its own stadium dedicated to Cricket.

Obviously, to build such a state-of-the-art cricket stadium, you need to go a little away from the city. So the MCA, purchased this piece of land at Gahunje, close to the Mumbai-Pune Expressway, and constructed this stadium, which was designed by the well-known architect Michael Hopkins. MCA Stadium, Pune Pitch Report & Weather Forecast for IND vs BAN ICC ODI World Cup 2023 Match 17

The stadium has many landmark features. The huge concourse running around the seating arena, gives the flexibility of movement, comfort, as well as safety for the Fans. There are modern seating lounges/boxes and galleries ensuring cent percent visibility. The player's rooms, gym, and walkways are all built with the best facilities.

The sand-based foundation and efficient drainage systems ensure minimum loss of time on account of rains. There is also an indoor practice facility and an area allocated for a practice ground. To add to the aesthetic and appeal, the Stadium has a scenic backdrop of a hill, which gives a special experience for the fans.

The first-ever international match was played in the Stadium in December 2012, which was a T-20 match between India and England. Since the year 2012, the MCA stadium has been a centre for IPL matches. Initially, the home ground of Pune Warriors, India, it later became the home ground for the Rising Pune Super Giants, a Pune-based IPL team, during the years 2016 and 2017.

The MCA stadium has also been chosen as the home ground by the franchises of Chennai Super Kings and the Punjab Kings XI, for some duration. The first-ever Test match was played at the MCA stadium in February 2017 between India and Australia.

The stadium has also hosted many domestic matches including a Ranji Trophy final. Thus, the MCA International Stadium Pune has become a full-fledged cricket centre for international as well as domestic Cricket.

Hosting the ICC World Cup 2023 matches is definitely an honour for this Stadium now. So, on October 19, 2023, when the fully-packed stadium, with the voices of thousands of ardent fans, will sing the national anthem, with the men in Blue, our MCA International Stadium will reach a new landmark, in its history.

The author is a lawyer and the former president of Maharashtra Cricket Association