Jagran correspondent, Meerut. After the Santosh Trophy match, now the Ranji Trophy match has also been snatched from Meerut. The match between Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand to be held at Bhamashah Park Cricket Stadium from 22 to 25 January will now be played at Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. This change has also been made in the schedule of BCCI's domestic matches. The hosting of football Santosh Trophy matches was snatched away due to pollution, the hosting of Ranji matches was snatched away due to lack of adequate resources.
Actually, from this year onwards two matches of each team are being telecasted live in Ranji. This is set in line with transmission rotation. Under this, the first match scheduled in Meerut was to be broadcast live. There is no arrangement for live telecast of the match in Bhamashah Park. For this reason the match has been shifted to Ekana Stadium in Lucknow. After the rules for hosting Ranji matches were changed, the officials of Meerut District Cricket Association had arranged the pavilion of Bhamashah Park Stadium. Since then at least one Ranji match has been held in Meerut every year.
Now this stadium needs to be equipped with more modern facilities. After the Ranji match is shifted, Meerut District Cricket Association is trying to host some other match. UP's next match after January will be held at Vidarbha Cricket Stadium from January 29. Ranji quarter final matches will be held from February 6.
No match has been decisive since 2009
The first Ranji Trophy match was played at Bhamashah Park Stadium in 2005. After this, no match was decisive after November 2009. In 2009, Karnataka team led by Rahul Dravid had won by defeating Uttar Pradesh by 185 runs. Matches were held every year from 2009 to 2013 but all matches ended in draws. There was a gap of six years after 2013 and the match took place between UP and Railways in 2019-20. There were no matches in two seasons due to the Corona epidemic in between. Ranji Trophy matches started organizing again from 2023.
Gandhi Bagh ground is also ready
Now the Gandhi Bagh cricket ground located in the cantonment is also ready to host Ranji Trophy matches. The Cantonment Board has prepared five new pitches on the ground. Matches have taken place here before also. The pavilion is also equipped with other arrangements including accommodation for the players of the two teams.
Matches between these teams have already taken place in Meerut
Season 2009-10: Uttar Pradesh vs Karnataka, Bhamashah Park: Karnataka won by 185 runs
Season 2010-11: Uttar Pradesh vs Punjab, Bhamashah Park: Match drawn
Season 2010-11: Uttar Pradesh vs Saurashtra, Gandhi Bagh: Match drawn
Season 2012-13: Uttar Pradesh vs Karnataka, Bhamashah Park: Match drawn
Season 2013-14: Uttar Pradesh vs Tamil Nadu, Bhamashah Park: Match drawn
Session 2019-20: Uttar Pradesh vs Railways, Bhamashah Park: Match Draw
Season 2022-23: Uttar Pradesh vs Odisha, Bhamashah Park: Match Draw
Season 2024-25: Uttar Pradesh vs Bihar, Bhamashah Park: Match Draw