Ahmedabad has two cricket stadiums and both of them were known as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel stadium. People used to get confused because of the same name. I remember while growing up I used to think there is only one stadium because of the same name. Then, they started differentiating on the basis of area in which both the stadiums are situated. Thus, one stadium is located in the Navrangpura area of Ahmedabad and another one is in Motera. In the last 10-15 years, all international matches and most of the domestic matches were played in the stadium located in Motera. While very few domestic matches and mostly local cricket leagues were played in Navrangpura Stadium.
Announcement
When the news broke out that Motera stadium is going to be the world’s largest cricket stadium, there was only one question in everyone’s mind, when? Then, Namaste Trump happened and we the citizens of Ahmedabad got excited but international cricket was still far away from the new stadium. These days we are busy bringing our life back on track and international cricket has brought some joy in the midst of covid tensions. If the situation would have been normal then we (people of Ahmedabad) would have got only one test or one T20I but due to covid, we got a whole month of international cricket.
Return of International Cricket
In this month of action-packed cricket, we got the opportunity to witness two tests followed by five T20Is. Out of two tests, first one was the pink ball test. I remember when the pink ball test was introduced, I wrote about how can I enjoy it even after performing the daily job and end the day on high. Yes, I consider the pink ball test as a stress buster. Thus, when the news broke out of new stadium, in my head, I was already enjoying the pink ball test on the grass banks of new Motera stadium. Soon, I realised that grass banks are not possible in world’s largest cricket stadium. Thus, the focus shifted to how well the world’s largest stadium will look like in my city.
Change of Name
The inaugural test match at Motera stadium was the pink ball test. And I didn’t want to miss that opportunity to see the world’s largest stadium. Thus, I booked third day’s tickets near India’s dressing room hoping that I will see the result of the match on the ground. On first day of the match, honorary president of India came to inaugurate the stadium. During that inauguration, we came to know that the name of stadium has been changed to Narendra Modi Stadium. It raised a lot of voices but at least now onwards, we amdavadis can differentiate two stadiums on the basis of their names.
Visit to Narendra Modi Stadium
The pink ball test ended in two days and my dream of watching the pink ball test at stadium is still a dream. Next up was a day test and considering the result of pink ball test, this time I booked the tickets of day two. I had seen the older version of the stadium so I was pretty excited to see the newer version of it. So when I was walking towards the gate, my aim became to explore the stadium rather than watching the match. As I reached the gate, I came to know that Motera stadium has become Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel sports enclave and Narendra Modi Stadium is a part of the sports enclave.
The outer view of stadium at the gate was amazing. The stadium looked massive. Earlier there was an empty space at the entrance of stadium and the stadium was not visible from the gate. Now, as the area of stadium has increased, that empty space has been occupied. A Check-in kiosk has been installed in that empty space that leads to the stairs of the huge stadium. Seats are divided into two parts: lower bay and upper bay. In the lower bay, there is Reliance end on one side and Adani end on the other. Premium pavilions are mostly divided in the lower bay. There are three or four small screens and one big screen in the stadium. Apart from that, there are two digital scorecards, to keep the track of the match. Seats are placed in such a way that you can watch the game from every corner of the stadium.
Narendra Modi Stadium has given a new identity to Ahmedabad. And now, the premises has more than just a stadium. It has become a sports club. So whether there is international cricket or not at Motera stadium, if you have the membership of the sports club then you can keep yourself fit by playing different sports daily there.
The stadium really looks state of the art. What a transformation from what it was years ago when we were staying in Ahmedabad. Hope action is back soon in the stadium.
Yes, the transformation is the best. They have used the empty space really well.
This is cool. Having a sports enclave must be fantastic. It adds so much value to the whole experience of visiting a stadium..
Yes, it adds to experience. Wish I could afford the club membership to make the most of it.
The name change hasn’t reached all the masses yet it seems. There are many people who still address it by the old name.
Yeah old name was better but two stadiums with the same name created a lot of confusion.
That is a truly commendable work done. The stadium looks amazing. I watched your video and was wondering how fantastic it would look post pandemic times.
Yes, we are also waiting for post pandemic times.
The narendra modi stadium looks quite huge and massive, I am sure the experience to witness the match sitting right there would be amazing. Hope soon things settle outside and we can witness this.
Yes, the experience to witness a cricket match there is amazing.