Test debut: Holkar stadium to wipe off Indore's 'bad pitch' blot of '97

Indore: After the infamous ODI cricket match between India and Sri Lanka, which was abandoned due to bad pitch on December 25, 1997, Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) has been aggressively working towards retaining its pride. Finally, all the hard work is paying off; Indore would be hosting the first test match against New Zealand in the home-series which would commence from October.The Nehru stadium situated near the white church has hosted nine ODIs ever since 1983 till 2001, but the stadium was suspended later. The game was abandoned because the captains and umpires felt that the pitch was not suitable for the players to play. However, the match referee later decided to have a 30-over exhibition match to appease the restless crowd. After facing suspension for two years, Nehru Stadium again came into the limelight when it hosted one last ODI match on 31 March 2001 where Sachin Tendulkar created history by becoming the first player to reach 10,000 runs in ODI cricket. After this, in 2003, Holkar Cricket stadium was built near Racecourse road which till date has hosted around four ODIs. The last match held at Holkar Stadium was played between India and South Africa on October 2015. MPCA sources said, "After 1997, the whole cricket community was shocked after seeing the condition of the cricket ground. But the association since then has worked hard to improve the condition of cricket stadiums in Indore,"With a seating capacity of around 30,000 spectators and fully equipped with flood lights for night matches, the Holkar cricket stadium would be hosting ODI against New Zealand in the scheduled home series of three test matches. "The stadium has hosted 4 ODIs matches and in every single match India won, this is the reason why we consider it as a lucky stadium," said a MPCA official. He further added that Virender Sehwag had also created a record of the second highest ODI score of 219 at this very ground.