Former Indian cricketers Sunil Gavaskar and Sanjay Manjrekar escaped unhurt after a glass door of the commentary box at the newly-built Ekana Stadium in Lucknow lay shattered just as the duo was entering the enclosure for commentary duties during the second T20I of India’s three-match series against West Indies.
The face-lifted stadium – renamed as the Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium ahead of the match by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath – endured moments of distress through the evening, but both the former cricketers were lucky to return unscratched.
One of the glass doors just crumbled like a pack of cards but luckily no one sustained any injuries. All are safe.Sanjay Manjrekar
Mismanagement and chaos dominated proceedings as the ‘City of Nawabs’ hosted a men’s international cricket match after a hiatus of 24 years.
The Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium is a private property situated inside the Ekana Sportz City, developed on the outskirts of the state capital.
Inexperience on the part of the organisers was at the forefront, with mediapersons covering the match the worst hit. While the media box wore a swanky look from the outside, erratic internet and power connection, coupled with frequent power cuts, caused a lot of inconvenience inside.
Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) officials cut a helpless figure, as the stadium is a private property. To their relief, though, the 50,000-seater stadium was packed to capacity.
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