The next India against Bangladesh The second Test in Kanpur has taken an unexpected turn as security concerns loom over one of the stands at the iconic Green Park Stadium.
Just a couple of days before the much-awaited India vs Bangladesh encounter, the C Stand, particularly the C Balcony, was deemed unsafe by the authorities for a full-capacity crowd for the second India vs Bangladesh Test.
This surprising development came after the Indian cricket team took a 1-0 lead in the ongoing two-match Test series between India and Bangladesh with a thumping 280-run win over Bangladesh in the first Test in Chennai.
Green Park Stadium Balcony C declared unsafe ahead of India vs Bangladesh match
Now, the excitement for the India vs Bangladesh match between Kanpur and Bangladesh is being overshadowed by fears of possible danger in the stands. In a shocking revelation, the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has claimed that the C-tier of the Green Park Stadium is not strong enough to withstand the pressure of the packed crowd.
The PWD’s warning, just three days before the second India vs Bangladesh match, has forced the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) to take steps to ensure the safety of spectators. The UPCA, in response to the urgent security concerns of PWD, has taken the drastic step of restricting ticket sales for Balcony C.
While Balcony C can normally accommodate up to 4,800 fans, only 1,700 tickets will be sold for this section for the upcoming India vs. Bangladesh Test in Kanpur.
The UPCA decided, after engineers carried out a detailed inspection of the grandstand and spent hours assessing the risk, that full capacity would not be allowed on balcony C.
We have been told to sell only 1700 tickets for the stand: UPCA
Uncertainty surrounding stadium safety has created a stir among fans and players, casting a shadow over what was expected to be an electrifying clash. As well as concerns surrounding the C Stand at Green Park, the stadium’s floodlights are also facing problems.
UPCA chief executive Ankit Chatterjee was quoted by the Indian Express: “The Department of Public Works has raised some issues and we have agreed that we will not sell all the tickets for Balcony C. We have been told to sell only 1,700 tickets for the grandstand, which has a capacity of 4,800 people. Repair work will continue over the next few days.”
A team of engineers spent nearly six hours assessing the C stand and has recommended to UPCA to close it for the upcoming Test match in Kanpur. A PWD engineer said, “This stand will not be able to bear the weight of even 50 fans if they start jumping after Rishabh Pant hits a six. This part of the stadium is in dire need of repair.”
It is noteworthy that the Green Park Stadium is managed by the sports department of the Uttar Pradesh government, and has not hosted many international matches recently, mainly due to the new Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Eight floodlight bulbs are not working properly in Kanpur
The UPCA chief executive mentioned that while the association does not have direct control over the stadium, they have 40 days to prepare it before any match. Mr Chatterjee added: “This stadium is not directly under the UPCA and we have a 40-day window before a match to get it ready. We have done everything possible to keep it intact ahead of this important World Test Championship (WTC) match.”
There are also concerns regarding the floodlights at the stadium as if poor lighting conditions were to affect play during the match, the UPCA would be unable to do anything. A sports department official revealed, “Eight floodlight bulbs near the VIP pavilion are not working properly. In Kanpur, visibility has always been a problem. It is mainly due to pollution. Hopefully we will not have to go through that embarrassment again.”