Explained: How the SubAir facility at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru works? All you need to know about drainage system at IND vs NZ 1st Test venue

The evergreen format of cricket returns to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, as India (IND) and New Zealand (NZ) square off at the city of gardens for the 1st Test, starting October 16, 2024. The five-day fixture, though, may face an unwelcome interruption as the rain is likely to remain a possibility throughout the entirety of the Test, and heavy thunderstorms are also expected, according to the weather forecast.

It is also important to mention that the Karnataka capital has been receiving troubling rainy hours over the last four days, and as a result, the incessant overcast conditions are certainly going to be witnessed across the next five days as well, and in fact, sun has been too hesitant to spread its shine in the last week, and the same is likely to continue.

Amid all the rain forecasts and possible interruption, the excellent drainage facility (SubAir system) at the venue, owned and operated by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is building the curiosity of fans. The drainage system is able to make the surface ready in very less time, allowing for least loss of time for crucial encounters like the one coming up on Saturday.

This is the same SubAir system that proved to be a blessing for IPL fans when Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Chennai Super Kings crossed swords on May 18, 2024, after having received a heavy downpour on the 17th.

Meanwhile, let us take a deep dive into the SubAir drainage system installed by the state cricket association at the ground, which has saved many encounters from being washed out.

Check Here: India vs New Zealand, 1st Test: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru Weather Report

What drainage system is used at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Bengaluru?

The KSCA has been able to maintain the ground with the help of SubAir system, the operations of which are completely digital. Different modes are used for effective utilization of the resources with changing conditions of weather.

Now speaking of the prerequisites, the SubAir system works only with sand as the main base of the ground. As a result, the conventional red-soil at the iconic field was replaced by sand to bring the working of drainage infrastructure in place.

“If you take regular soil and water, it will swell and become a lump, which does not happen with sand. The drainage system takes the water out, but in other kinds of soil, the surface moisture is retained. Sand, on the other hand, does not hold water.

“It (SubAir system) allows water to percolate, which means the outfield is less slippery and injury risks are minimised. Sand is expensive, and you need to be very good with maintenance, especially in cool climates like Bangalore, where fungal infection is something to look out for,” P.R. Viswanathan, the BCCI's South Zone curator was quoted as saying by ESPNCricinfo.

How does the SubAir system work?

According to Moneycontrol, the water evacuation facility in Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium is run by a 200-horsepower machine, which is enough to drain a mind-boggling 10,000 litres of water per minute. The world-class operation helps a lot in getting the outfield ready for play within minutes, even after a heavy downpour.

When was the SubAir system installed at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium?

After an embarrassing end to the India-South Africa Test in 2015, only a day's play was possible across five days due to heavy rain throughout the game. This, in turn, forced the association to take immediate steps to install a best-in-class drainage facility at the historic venue, in the city where rains round the year are not uncommon. As a result, between June 2016 to January 2017 a complete revamp of the playing field at the ground was completed, which also included installing water-detecting smart sensors at the ground.

Since then, games haven't taken longer to resume despite heavy rains, and the association received massive praises for its vision to not let rains affect a team's position in the competition. On May 21, 2023, Gujarat Titans played hosts RCB in the last league stage game of the 16th season of the IPL. Moments before the play, Bengaluru received massive rainfall, but that did not let any loss of play other than a 30-minute delay, as a full-fledged 20-over competition was possible, where the world witnessed Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill hit majestic tons, as the visitors managed to clinch a victory.

Now coming back to the clash on Saturday, the game is one of the most important league stage games in this year's IPL as the winner is likely to seal a spot in the playoffs, where only the last spot is up for grabs, as Sunrisers Hyderabad, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Rajasthan Royals have reserved their berth already. And with the drainage system in place, it is likely that a minimal interruption or delay will occur for the play to resume or commence.