6 New Venues announced by the BCCI as Test centres

6 New Venues announced by the BCCI as Test centres: With the iridescent hope of transparency in business gleaming from the rapid recent changes in the management of India’s chief cricket governing body, the BCCI, President Shashank Manohar has gone on to annunciate six new venues qualified to host test matches in India. Pune, Ranchi, Indore, Rajkot, Visakhapatnam and Dharamsala are the six stadiums selected by the BCCI to conduct Test matches here on. Here’s a brief description of 6 New Venues announced by the BCCI as Test centres: 1. Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. (MCA Stadium) (Photo Source: BCCI) The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune, formerly known as the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium is a 42,000 seater located on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway near Pimpri-Chinchwad. The stadium designed by Hopkins Architects of London completed construction in 2012. The MCA Stadium has hosted one ODI and two T20s till date. Having completed construction recently in 2012, the stadium has state of the art facilities in terms of floodlights, youth academy as well as pitch conditions. It’s main feature is the ability of the pitch to sustain heavy downpour. The MCA along with a technology company in the UK collaborated to improvise the rain drainage system and opted for a sand-based outfield. Due to this technology, even during the heavy showers, water on the outfield drained out fast making it ready for play again just in few minutes. 2. JSCA Stadium, Ranchi. (Photo Source: BCCI) The JSCA Stadium or the Jharkhand State Cricket Association located in Ranchi, inaugurated in 2013, has been host to three ODIs as well as several T20 matches. It was the home ground of the Chennai Super Kings for four matches during the IPL. Besides, it has hosted many CLT20 games and is also the fortress for the Jharkhand state team in the domestic circuit. Having a capacity of 40,000 this modern-day stadium boasts of having no shadows on the playing area on any day till 4:45 pm, even on the shortest day of the year. Home turf of the Indian captain, MS Dhoni, the JSCA Stadium will be a major venue for hosting further international tournaments. 3. Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. Holkar Stadium. (Photo Source: MPCA) How can one forget Sehwag’s memorable feat of scoring the second highest ODI score of 219 (149 balls) in cricketing history that time. It was on the Holkar Cricket Stadium where he achieved this feat. Having a seating capacity of 30,000, the Holkar Cricket Stadium is owned by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. Named after the Holkar Dynasty of the Marathas, this stadium is renowned for it’s excellent day and night floodlight facilities. Generally known to assist the batsman, this fact needs no further proof after Sehwag’s grue som knock. The stadium has been host to 4 ODIs, with India victorious on all five occasions. 4. Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot. (Photo Source: BCCI) Established in 2008 by the SCA, this 28,000 seater was was originally only used for first class domestic matches as well as few district level tournaments. Having hosted two ODIs and two T20s, this stadium recently came in the limelight after Chesteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja’s 300+ score in the domestic circuit. It has named one of its ends as ‘VVS Laxman End’ after the Indian batting icon, VVS Laxman. 5. Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam. (Photo Source: Google) This 28,000 seater has been host to 5 ODIs and 2 T20s so far. Known to have conditions complimentary for batting, this track is one of BCCI’s favourites for international as well as domestic matches. Owned by Andhra Pradesh Cricket Association – Visakhapatnam District Cricket Association ( ACA-VDCA), the stadium has a lush green track and a hard pitch favouring batting conditions. Established in 2003, this stadium has day and night floodlights as well as a well-equipped drainage system. 6. HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala. (Photo Source: BCCI) The fact that the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium is situated at an altitude of 1,457 m (4780 ft) makes it sui generis as compared to other stadiums in India. The picturesque view of the snow-capped Himalayan mountain ranges, right at the helm of the stadium has often been a deterrent factor during the rough and snowy winters, preventing the playing of cricket matches during those months. The stadium has a capacity of 23,000 and is host to IPL side Kings XI Punjab. Two ODIs have been played here so far, along with several first class matches. This stadium is also the home turf for the Himachal Pradesh state cricket team.