Anurag Thakur thanks people of Indore for their enthusiasm

The India vs New Zealand 3rd Test is played at the Holkar Stadium in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. This is the first time that the ground is hosting a Test match. With the first two Tests played at regular Test venues Kanpur and Kolkata this was a welcome change. The look at both the stadiums wasn’t a satisfying once since despite the fact that the Indian team was doing well not many people turned up to watch the games.

On the contrary, the first day at Indore witnessed 18,000 plus strong crowd which cheered every ball hit towards the ropes and was excited to watch a Test match live. Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Anurag Thakur called it a good experiment and also mentioned that the board’s attempt to take Test cricket to smaller cities will continue in the future as well.

Indian skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and to the delight of the crowd decided to bat first. The Indian opening pair of Murali Vijay and Gautam Gambhir who is making a comeback in the longest format of the game after almost 2 years started the proceedings in the game. Though the openers didn’t last long the Indian captain and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane ensured the spectators returned back home feeling great and positive having witnessed a day of the purest form of the game.

Ahead of the start of the third Test while talking to PTI Anurag Thakur said, “We have taken an initiative to take Test matches to small cities. The decision to hold the same in Indore proved right.

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In future also, we will take it to such cities,”

He also praised the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) for organizing the game in the manner in which they did. “MPCA has done a wonderful job,” Thakur remarked.

“We are thankful to the people of Indore for showing so much of enthusiasm for the Test match between India and New Zealand,” he said.

The Indian board, in its Annual General Meeting (AGM) last November had granted Test hosting status to smaller cities like Indore, Pune, Rajkot, Vishakapatnam and Dharamshala.

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