2024-10-05 14:33:09
A layer of dust on the walls. Palestine seems to be falling apart. There is no busy road nearby. The car is running fast. ‘<a href="https://time.news/the-one-who-made-sachin-tendulkars-star-shine-was-so-unlucky-he-did-not-get-a-match-after-scoring-a-double-century/" title="The one who made Sachin Tendulkar's star shine was so 'unlucky', he did not get a match after scoring a double century”>Captain Roop Singh Stadium‘ is written in big letters in front of the gate.
After 14 years, international cricket is returning to the mythical city of Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, India. But Roop Singh is a lonely Sherpa. All of the cricket is now at the Srimant Madhavrao Cricket Stadium, about 10 km from the city.
When the name of this Roop Singh comes up, the name of the living legend of cricket Sachin Tendulkar comes to mind. Roop Singh’s first double century in ODI cricket history at 22 yards came from the bat of the little master. After this match against South Africa on 24 February 2010, no more matches were played in Gwalior.
There was no barrier to enter the stadium. As if anyone can enter now. The first sight will be a hall-like room. Before entering the stadium, you will see another small room.
Long score sheet hanging on the wall. Of course, the score of any match should be understood. Sachin’s feat is described in detail. A celebratory photo of Sachin Tendulkar flashes next to the scoreboard. Sunil, the scorer of this match, also has a photo.
Memorable Sunil said, ‘It is a great honor for me to witness such a historic match. This match was supposed to be played in Kanpur. But due to problems there, the match comes to Roop Singh. We prepare the ground with just 14 days notice. I can witness history.’
A map of the entire stadium in a glass box next to the scoresheet. That is, there is a description of everything where what is in this glass container. Stepping across the room into the field, the image of neglect emerges. The condition of the surrounding galleries is so-so. Somewhere the chair is broken, somewhere the original shape is lost in the moss and dust cover.
Although there are floodlights, they are out of order due to lack of use for a long time. Starting from the dressing room, all the important places are like a garbage dump. There are no wickets in the field, but some areas have been filled in on high ground to make wickets.
In front of the dressing room, two budding cricketers were seen tung-tang with the bat-ball. One of them was also working as a net bowler for the Bangladesh-India team. This rising cricketer named Sourav Jatt said, ‘This ground is a part of history. We were very young then. There was no age to understand. It feels a bit bad to see such a situation now.’
No master found. On his way out, he met a groundsman named Sikander Singh Yadav. Wandering here and there; As if there is no work. There is no clear answer as to why this field has fallen into such neglect. Of course, he is not supposed to know.
According to Sikandar, age-based cricket tournaments are held at this stadium, ‘I have been working here for 10 years. International cricket has been held here before. Age wise cricket tournaments are held here. There is an under-15 girls tournament next month.’
Sikandar said that this stadium will be renovated, its renovation work will start after the Bangladesh-India match. This field will also be kept ready for the future.’
Captain Roop Singh Stadium is not affiliated to the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). The journey of this field started in 1988 with the India-West Indies match. After 22 years, the journey stopped with a match against South Africa. The stadium is named after Roop Singh, a member of the national hockey team. But Sachin’s feat still remembers Roop Singh, but his form is lost.
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