Varanasi cricket stadium
{{short description|Underconstruction International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi}}
{{Infobox cricket ground
| ground_name = Varanasi International Cricket Stadium
| former name =
| nickname =
| logo_image =
| image = File:Varanasi_Cricket_Stadium_proposed_design.png
| image_size = 275
| image_caption = Proposed 3D design of the stadium
| caption = Planned 3D model of the stadium
| location = Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
| coordinates = {{coord|25.2958|82.8549|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| broke_ground = 23 September 2023
| built =
| opened =
| owner = Larsen and Toubro (for 30 years under Public–Private Partnership)
| operator = Larsen and Toubro (for 30 years under Public–Private Partnership)
| architect =
| record_attendence =
| tenants = Kashi Rudras
Uttar Pradesh cricket team
India national cricket team
| main_contractors =
| dimensions =
| construction_cost = {{INRConvert|451|c}}{{efn|Includes ₹121 crore of land acquisition cost.}}
| seating_capacity = 30,000
| publictransit =
| surface =
| acreage = {{Convert|30|acre}}
| Suites =
| key_people =
| season =
}}
Varanasi International Cricket Stadium is a currently in-construction cricket stadium in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India. It's expected to be completed by December 2025.{{cite news |title="Can Seat Over 40,000": PM Modi Lays Foundation Of Varanasi Cricket Stadium |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/pm-narendra-modi-lays-foundation-stone-of-international-cricket-stadium-in-varanasi-4416656 |access-date=24 September 2023 |work=NDTV.com}} The venue will have a seating capacity of 30,000 spectators which can be extended up to 40,000.{{cite news |last1=Singh |first1=Mansi |title=PM Modi to inaugurate international cricket stadium in Varanasi: Key points |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/india/uttar-pradesh/pm-modi-to-inaugurate-international-cricket-stadium-in-varanasi-key-points-2698110 |access-date=24 September 2023 |work=Deccan Herald |language=en}} Upon completion, it will be the fourth international cricket stadium in Uttar Pradesh after Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and Saifai International Cricket Stadium in Etawah.
Overview and design
As the venue is located in the holy city of Varanasi, its architectural design will draw inspiration from Lord Shiva, featuring distinctive elements like trident-shaped floodlights, crescent-shaped roof covers, ghat-steps like seating arrangements, Bilva-patra (Wood apple leaves) shaped metallic sheets on the facade and the media center will be shaped like a Damaru.{{cite news |title=PM Modi to lay foundation stone of Varanasi stadium in star studded event: Tendulkar, Gavaskar among attendees |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-lay-foundation-stone-of-varanasi-stadium-in-star-studded-event-tendulkar-gavaskar-among-attendees-101695443235231.html |access-date=24 September 2023 |work=Hindustan Times |date=23 September 2023 |language=en}}
The venue will have a capacity of 30,000 spectators which could be expandable up to 40,000. The venue will also have 9 practice wickets in the main ground, advanced drainage system, one outdoor ground, sufficient parking space, a VVIP or VIP zone on the second floor of the south pavilion{{cite AV media |people= |date=23 September 2023 |title=International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi to give wings to young sporting talent!|type= Motion Picture|language= hi |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiJ4Pps6nsY |access-date= |archive-url= |archive-date= |format=MP4 |time= |location=Varanasi |publisher=Narendra Modi (Youtube channel) |ref=}}
Development
It was announced in April 2023 that Varanasi will get a International cricket stadium. In August 2023, Larsen and Toubro wins bid to construct the stadium.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/lt-wins-bid-to-construct-kashi-international-stadium/articleshow/102738545.cms
The Government of Uttar Pradesh acquired a {{convert|30|acre|ha}} land beside Ring Road Phase-2 in the Rajatalab area at a cost of {{INRConvert|121|c}} for the stadium, while the construction cost is estimated to be {{INRConvert|330|c}}.{{cite news |last1=Mehrotra |first1=Vani |title=PM Modi lays foundation stone of international cricket stadium in Varanasi |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/varanasi-international-cricket-stadium-foundation-stone-pm-narendra-modi-rally-women-supporters-2439415-2023-09-23 |access-date=24 September 2023 |work=India Today |language=en}}
On 23 September 2023, Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone of the stadium in the presence of cricket veterans like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri and Dilip Vengsarkar, Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath, key officials of BCCI like Roger Binny, Rajeev Shukla, Jay Shah and many others. The stadium is expected to be completed by December 2025.{{cite news |last1=Kumar |first1=Devesh |title=Sachin Tendulkar joins PM Modi in stone laying ceremony of Varanasi stadium |url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/varanasi-cricket-stadium-sachin-tendulkar-joins-pm-modi-cm-yogi-adityanath-in-stone-laying-ceremony-watch-11695458811892.html |access-date=24 September 2023 |work=mint |date=23 September 2023 |language=en}}
Public transit
The venue will be well-connected to the city's airport, major railway stations and bus station.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Cricket grounds in India}}
{{Varanasi}}
Category:Sports venues in Uttar Pradesh
Category:Cricket grounds in Uttar Pradesh
Category:Sports venues in Varanasi
Category:Cricket grounds in India
Category:Buildings and structures under construction in India