F1 had once brought Greater Noida into the limelight…now after 13 years, it is embarrassed due to lack of facilities in the cricket stadium

Greater Noida: Afghanistan-New Zealand Test abandoned: Talking about sports, Greater Noida’s name emerged strongly at the international level in 2011. Then for the first time in India, Formula-1 race was organized on 30 October 2011 at Buddh International Circuit of Greater Noida. But 13 years later, when Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex here got the hosting of international cricket, a lot of chaos was seen.

In fact, the Test match between Afghanistan and New Zealand (September 9-13) was cancelled on Friday. Not a single ball could be bowled due to wet outfield and continuous rain. On the other hand, lack of facilities worsened the situation. Such a situation occurred only for the 8th time in the history of Test cricket.

Test matches abandoned without a single ball being bowled

1. England Vs Australia – Manchester, 1890

2. England Vs Australia – Manchester, 1938

3. Australia Vs England – Melbourne, 1970

4. New Zealand Vs Pakistan – Dunedin, 1989

5. West Indies Vs England – Georgetown, 1990

6. Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – Faisalabad, 1998

7. New Zealand vs India – Dunedin, 1998

8. Afghanistan VS New Zealand – Greater Noida, 2024

Before this, the last Formula-1 race was held in Greater Noida’s Buddh International Circuit in 2013. Then this city of India became famous all over the world. A moto race was also organized on this track from 22 to 24 September 2023.

Cricket has a huge status in India if we look at its popularity. No one would have imagined that one of its matches would witness so much chaos. The game could not be played on the first two days due to wet outfield, which has raised questions on the capacity of Shaheed Vijay Singh Pathik Sports Complex to host the match. The game was cancelled due to rain on the remaining three days.

The pitch was inspected on Friday morning, but there was water accumulated in the outfield in places that were not covered. This ensured the match was cancelled and even the toss could not be conducted.

There has been continuous rain in NCR for the last several days. Its effect was also visible at the Greater Noida Stadium. Here, during the match, there was a lack of basic facilities, lack of ground cover, poor drainage, lack of skilled ground workers. At the same time, the problem was seen due to the lack of sufficient number of super soppers. Despite the sun rising on the first two days, the umpires decided not to conduct the match keeping in mind the safety of the players.

Greater Noida’s stadium was not ready in advance…
If sources are to be believed, Greater Noida Authority had asked for two super soppers from Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA), which were sent from Meerut Stadium. During the day, traditional shamianas used in weddings were used to cover the outfield and rain coats were put up in the evening. DDCA officials sent outfield covers from Kotla, but they were not enough. Greater Noida Authority also did not have skilled ground workers, due to which labourers were employed.

This stadium has been banned once
Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority The stadium, run by the ACB, hosted a pink ball Duleep Trophy match in 2016. However, it was banned by the BCCI in September 2017 due to match-fixing during corporate matches. No BCCI-affiliated matches have been held here since then. The stadium has previously served as the home ground for Afghanistan. Though the stadium does not come under the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association, the BCCI had given the Afghanistan Cricket Board the options of Kanpur, Bengaluru and Greater Noida. The ACB chose Greater Noida for logistical reasons.

The future of the stadium is in the hands of the match referee
Afghanistan was the host of this match, which does not get a chance to play against the top teams. This was its 10th Test after getting the status of a Test team from the ICC in 2017. This Test is not a part of the ICC World Championship cycle. The decision on the future of the stadium will be taken after the report of match referee Javagal Srinath comes.

The Greater Noida stadium will be reviewed by the referee, as is done after a match. In such a situation, there is a possibility that the ICC (International Cricket Council) referee can give demerit points to both the pitch and the ground. If 3 points are given for the pitch and 3 for the ground, then the Noida stadium will be declared unfit with 6 points and will be suspended. There is a possibility that the referee can also mention the infrastructure in his report.

Why has there been no F-1 race in Greater Noida since 2013?
Red Bull Racing’s Sebastian Vettel won the opening race of the Indian Grand Prix in Greater Noida in 2011. In 2012 too, Vettel started from pole position. He also made the fastest lap and race lap record that year, which remained intact for the next two Grand Prix. In 2013, Vettel won the race once again. The race was not held here in 2014. It was cancelled, then it was said that this race would be held in 2015, but it could not happen. Then the head of the Federation of Motor Sports Council of India, Vicky Chandok, had said that there would be no race in 2014 and now they are focusing on 2015.

At that time, race organiser Jaypee Sports International (JPSI) chief Sameer Gaur had said that they would have preferred the October date, but if needed, they are ready to organise the race in March. JPSI chief Sameer Gaur had then said in a statement, ‘The October-November period is better for us in terms of weather and festive season in India, if Formula One management wants us to organise the race in March 2015, we have no problem with it.’

But later it was also reported that contractual issues at the venue could not be settled. Due to this, the Formula-1 race could not be held in India. In 2014, the then Formula-1 chief Bernie Ecclestone had said that the troubled Indian Grand Prix does not have time left to return in 2015 and its organizers will have to settle the contractual obligations for a possible return in 2016.