MCA stadium is now one of the best boutique sporting grounds in India: Abhay Apte

Pune is all geared up to get carved in history books as it is ready to host its first ever Test match at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) stadium. It will be a feast for Pune fans as the top two Test sides lock horns with each other. India are set to welcome Australia for the first of the four Test matches on 23rd February.

The match between India and Australia will be a treat for the fans as both the teams clash with each other with a series win behind them. Pune always has been enthusiastic about cricket. They even have produced some fine talents over the years. Bhausaheb Babasaheb Nimbalkar scored the highest ever score of 443 not out in the 1948-49 season of Ranji trophy. Recently, Swapnil Gugale (351 not out) and Ankit Bawne (258 not out) shared the record for highest ever partnership in first-class cricket.

The One-Day International between India and England on January 15th was a sellout. 37,500 fans were present on that day and MCA will look for yet another full house on 23rd February. The match against England saw the local boy score a magnificent century and guide India to a famous victory which helped earn the man of the series award.

Kedar Jadhav, to honour his heroics against England, will receive the first ticket of the Test match. All the MCA’s first class players will also be specially invited for this historic occasion.

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The Maharashtra state association after 82 years of existence will finally get a chance to host the longest format of the game. The stadium in Pune has been part of 29 prominent fixtures out of which 25 were IPL matches and 4 international matches.

MCA president Abhay Apte emphasized on the same and said, “The MCA stadium is now one of the best boutique sporting grounds in India and we believe that it is at the right stage and the right position to host the first Test match. Playing host to this historic event will also add credentials to our state. We thank the BCCI for their ongoing support in promoting our strong case.”