BCCI should strengthen smaller venues

Sahil Malhotra / ESPNSTAR.com

BCCI should strengthen smaller venues

ESPNSTAR.com’s Sajal K Patra argues why the Indian Cricket Board should invest more on the maintenance of lesser-known cricket centers.

Delhi started off their Ranji Trophy campaign against Uttar Pradesh in front of a packed house in Ghaziabad.
The capital state fielded a full-strength side with the likes of Gambhir, Kohli and Ishant Sharma, with Sehwag in charge while Uttar Pradesh were not far behind with Raina, Praveen Kumar and Mohammad Kaif.
Ghaziabad did not disappoint as they flocked in with huge numbers to see their favourite players in action from such close quarters.
The Jawaharlal Nehru Cricket Stadium at Ghaziabad was jam-packed even before the action started in anticipation of watching Sehwag bat. The stadium, small in structure and size, can hold no more than two hundred people. The rest would go to their rooftops to watch the action, making it look like a gladiatorial arena.
There should be more impetus given to smaller venues as it not only promotes the game in smaller regions but also motivates the young kids when they watch their icons play. The BCCI should invest more on the maintenance of such venues so as to allow them to improve the playing conditions.
So, when a visiting team is in India they can hold a couple of practice matches as well, along with Ranji Trophy or the domestic matches.
After half-empty stands at so many Test venues, Ghaziabad brought a fresh lease of life where people turned up just to watch a Ranji Trophy match. They hardly get to see so many international players playing together.
So, investing a bit more on these grounds just to make them attractive for the practice matches of the visiting teams makes a lot of sense than hosting it in Mumbai or other big cities.