The majestic Greenfield Stadium in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram, which is set to host the visiting South African cricket team for the first T20 cricket match against India, has found itself in a tight spot as the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has disconnected the power supply over non-payment of bills. As per the schedule, the first match in the three series tournament begins here on September 28.
With the outstanding dues to the KSEB touching Rs 2.50 crore, the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) is also threatening to disconnect the water supply, as there is a default there too. Notably, all has not been well for the present owners of the stadium, owing to the poor financial position. The pandemic has also taken a heavy toll on them.
The Kerala Cricket Association (KCA), which is playing host to the mega event where a record crowd of around 50,000 spectators is expected, has also expressed concern about the situation.
Consequent to the disconnection of electricity to the stadium, the meeting called to discuss and review the security arrangements on the day of the match was held in the stadium with no electricity. But the KCA is hopeful that things will be sorted out and electricity is restored soon as the state government is expected to intervene.
So far, the state-of-the-art Greenfield Stadium in the capital city outskirts, has played host to four T20 international matches in which India has a 3-1 winning record. In the last match held here against the West Indies, the home side lost.
Meanwhile, certain sections of the cricket fans in Kerala are not pleased with the exclusion of local lad Sanju Samson from the Indian squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in Australia. In fact, discussions were abuzz in social media circles whether to show their protest against the BCCI against Sanju’s exclusion by wearing T-shirts with his photo on it.
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