After a long hiatus, international cricket is set to make its return to Gwalior with India facing Bangladesh in the first T20I of a three-match series on Sunday, 6 October. This historic event will take place at the newly constructed Shrimant Madhav Rao Scindia Cricket Stadium, marking a new chapter for the city’s cricketing heritage.
New venue for Gwalior: Shrimant Madhav Rao Scindia Cricket Stadium
The Shrimant Madhav Rao Scindia Cricket Stadium will host its first-ever international match, but Gwalior’s cricketing history is deeply rooted in the iconic Captain Roop Singh Stadium. The venue, which witnessed several memorable cricket moments, was originally a hockey stadium named after Roop Singh, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and younger brother of hockey legend Dhyan Chand.
Captain Roop Singh Stadium hosted its last international cricket match on 24 February 2010, when India played South Africa in an unforgettable ODI.
That match saw Sachin Tendulkar become the first male cricketer to score a double century in ODIs, a moment etched in cricketing history. The famed commentator, Ravi Shastri, declared, “First man on the planet to reach 200. And it’s the superman from India, Sachin Tendulkar.”
Storied Past: Captain Roop Singh Stadium
Gwalior’s previous venue hosted several key international matches, including World Cup fixtures. It was the ground where India faced South Africa during their 1991 return to international cricket after decades of suspension due to apartheid. Over the years, the stadium saw India notch up victories against teams like England, Australia, and Pakistan.
The venue also played host to a historic day-night Ranji Trophy final in 1996 between Mumbai and Delhi, marking its unique place in domestic cricket. However, despite these milestones, Gwalior was absent from international cricket for over a decade until now.
Memorable matches at captain Roop Singh Stadium
Some of the most memorable matches at Gwalior include:
- In 1988, West Indies defeated India by 73 runs.
- India’s thrilling three-wicket win over England in 1993, followed by another close four-wicket win just a day later.
- A remarkable victory against South Africa in 2010, where India triumphed by 153 runs, highlighted by Tendulkar’s double century.
Although the stadium hasn’t seen international action since Tendulkar’s milestone moment, it did host the 2022 Irani Cup match between Madhya Pradesh and Rest of India, where Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double century led the latter to a convincing victory.
New era for Gwalior Cricket
With the upcoming T20I between India and Bangladesh, Gwalior’s cricketing legacy is set to continue, albeit at a different venue. Fans will be eager to see how the new stadium fares as it welcomes international cricket once again. As the first match in Gwalior in 14 years, this T20I promises to rekindle the city’s love for the game and mark the beginning of a new era for cricket in the region.
