The famous Yeshwant Club Ground in Indore, the scene of many heroic deeds by the legendary Holkar team of the 1940's, has since been superseded by the Nehru Stadium, which sports a statue of CK Nayudu, Indore's favourite son of that era, outside its main entrance as a concession to tradition. India have won only one of their six ODI's at this venue, which includes one tie against Zimbabwe in the Hero Cup of 1993-94 and one 'No Result' against Sri Lanka four seasons later. The latter match was called off after just three overs, both captains concurring with the match referee that the pitch was too dangerous to be played on. An exhibition match was held instead to indulge a 25,000 crowd. Indore was briefly suspended from staging games, but it was again taken off the list of grounds after Australia played an ODI in 2000-01 even though extensive work has been undertaken to modernise the venue.
The first one-dayer was in 1983-84, but by far the most arresting performance at the Nehru Stadium was been Ian Botham's bludgeoning 48 ball hundred in 1981-82 against a respectable Central Zone attack comprising Gopal Sharma, Rajinder Singh Hans and Parthasarathy Sharma. Botham survived two chances before his luck finally ran
out on 122, collected from 55 balls and decorated with 16 fours and seven sixes. Mike Gatting at the other end made just 10 in the same time.
Cricinfo staff
