6 New Test venues in India

[ravenswood7]

Just interested in peoples opinions especially Indian's as to the 6 new test venues which are Rajkot Dharamsala, Ranchi, Vishakhapatnam, Pune and Indore that now makes 16 test venues altogether, this was confirmed by BCCI on November 9th just check cricinfo or search the internet, The reason the BCCI is adding more is that India have 13 test matches at home next year 1 against Bangladesh, 3 against New Zealand, 5 against England and 4 against Australia. Now test matches in India are poorly attended these days expect perhaps Chennai Mumbai now these venues have been added would they make a difference perhaps not I mean looking at the last test against South Africa at Mohali there was hardly anyone there what a joke I know not everyone has the patience for test matches compared to 50 overs and T20 games but I Love Test cricket its the pinnacle of any Cricketer. Maybe some of these venues in the smaller cities will help? Plus apparently Ahmedabad Sarder Patel stadium is being renovated up to 100,000 supposed to ready in a few years time. Now is that going to host test matches too as well as one days and t20's because there was hardly anyone there before in 54,000 capacity for test matches, if they have tests there again I hope more people would go because it would be a joke if anyone doesn't turn up even against the bigger countries in a 100,000 capacity, anyway let me know what u think.

 

[PokerAce]

I don't know if adding new grounds has a link to attendances, but I think its likely there is. I had stated earlier that India has a very different work culture from what it was 15 years ago. Now no one has the time to attend matches in the day. So most tests will have poor attendances, especially in the big cities and metros. However in the smaller cities work schedule is still relatively chilled. Hence places like Rajkot, Indore etc. which are definitely the smaller cities could lead to bigger crowds.

What I do believe is that if the infrastructure for D/N test cricket works, and D/N tests become a thing, then India would benefit a great deal from D/N tests. People go to IPL because its late evening after work. Even the ISL, has been getting attendances upto 60000 in some grounds, and about 22000 on an average. Now there is no way that Football is more popular than cricket in India. It just has to be the late evening kick-off for the games.

So if 22K on an average are willing to go watch football after work in India, I think a lot more would come to a test in the evening. Especially if the late evening session (last session of the post-dinner session I suppose, would start at around 8 and there be special tickets sold at knockdown prices, for that one session only. Especially if they could schedule it so that the last session is 3 hrs long, and starts around 8. I think most grounds will be full for this session.

 

[ravenswood7]

I don't know if adding new grounds has a link to attendances, but I think its likely there is. I had stated earlier that India has a very different work culture from what it was 15 years ago. Now no one has the time to attend matches in the day. So most tests will have poor attendances, especially in the big cities and metros. However in the smaller cities work schedule is still relatively chilled. Hence places like Rajkot, Indore etc. which are definitely the smaller cities could lead to bigger crowds.

What I do believe is that if the infrastructure for D/N test cricket works, and D/N tests become a thing, then India would benefit a great deal from D/N tests. People go to IPL because its late evening after work. Even the ISL, has been getting attendances upto 60000 in some grounds, and about 22000 on an average. Now there is no way that Football is more popular than cricket in India. It just has to be the late evening kick-off for the games.

So if 22K on an average are willing to go watch football after work in India, I think a lot more would come to a test in the evening. Especially if the late evening session (last session of the post-dinner session I suppose, would start at around 8 and there be special tickets sold at knockdown prices, for that one session only. Especially if they could schedule it so that the last session is 3 hrs long, and starts around 8. I think most grounds will be full for this session.

Ok that would be nice although I think maybe people could find time I know people have to work etc but I think a lot has to do with the patience people just cant be bothered by blocking etc they love 4s and 6s I mean Chennai can get lots of people for tests accept for the stand issue its just a shame of course its different here in England the crowds are excellent for test matches. Anyway lets keep an eye out for day/night test in Adelaide between Australia and New Zealand on the 27th of November I think maybe it can work.

 

[PokerAce]

^ Its not about ppl loving 6s. If you hold the same T20 in the middle of the day on say a Wednesday, you are in all likelihood going to get empty stands there too. Its definitely more to do with timing.

 

[Gaurav_7]

Really happy with the inclusion of Pune in there. Hope DDCA misses the deadline and Pune then will host it's first test match early next month. Might get a chance to go and watch it.

 

[themusketeer]

Really happy with the inclusion of Pune in there. Hope DDCA misses the deadline and Pune then will host it's first test match early next month. Might get a chance to go and watch it.

Why would you hope that DDCA misses the timelime ? I am hoping to see my first ever test match.

 

[ravenswood7]

^ Its not about ppl loving 6s. If you hold the same T20 in the middle of the day on say a Wednesday, you are in all likelihood going to get empty stands there too. Its definitely more to do with timing.

I know timing is a factor but a lot of people do not have the patience to watch a a batsman build an innings or watch 5 days of test cricket I have watched cricket for 34 years so I do know what im talking about.