News

Motera playing surface submerged by monsoon

Heavy monsoon rains in Ahmedabad have submerged the playing surface of Motera, the venue for the first Test between India and New Zealand in November

Cricinfo staff
10-Aug-2010
A flooded Motera  •  AFP

A flooded Motera  •  AFP

Heavy monsoon rains in Ahmedabad have submerged the playing surface of Motera, the venue for the first Test between India and New Zealand in November, raising fears of severe damage to the stadium.
Motera had more than 25cm of rainfall over two days, which left the ground water logged.
"The entire ground is filled with over six feet of water," Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA), Rajesh Patel, told Hindustan Times. "There are seven heavy-duty pumps removing water from the stadium. We don't know when the water would be cleared. It is estimated that it would take one more day."
Patel said the loss incurred could amount to between Rs 50,00,000 and Rs 60,00,000. "However, the exact figure could be made only after the water is cleared," he said. The stadium was refurbished in 2010 after Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi became the GCA president.