India vs Bangladesh T20 series: Run feast awaits in Gwalior | Cricket News
International cricket is returning to Gwalior after 14 years and fans can expect a run feast in the first T20I of the three-match series on Sunday.
The newly-built Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Stadium will be hosting its first international match. Given the scores in the inaugural Madhya Pradesh League (MPL), it is expected to be a high-scoring match.
“In the 12 games played here in June, teams crossed 200 four times. The pitches here have supported batters and it won’t change on Sunday as well,” a Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) official told The Indian Express.
In the MPL final, Malwa Panthers chased down 193 with one ball to spare against Gwalior Cheetahs. The tournament kick-started with Jabalpur Lions scoring 249 for 4 and Bhopal Leopards responded with 216. The average first innings score during the tournament was 171 and that for the second innings 150.
“The average score went down because three or four games were affected rain,” said the official.
Cues from nets
Team India’s bowling coach Morne Morkel was busy with all-rounder Hardik Pandya throughout the first net session in Gwalior. The South African was working on Pandya’s run-up, especially when the latter was shadow-practicing his bowling action.
Morkel seemed unhappy with Pandya bowling closer to the stumps. The new bowling coach was in Pandya’s ear every time he went back to his bowling mark. After 10-15 minutes, Morkel was seen pointing something to Pandya about his release point. The Indian all-rounder nodded and only then did Morkel shift his focus towards Arshdeep Singh and rookies Harshit Rana and Mayank Yadav.
Section 163 imposed in Gwalior
The Hindu Mahasabha has called for a bandh in Gwalior on match day, in protest against alleged atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh.
To counter this, Gwalior drict magrate Ruchika Singh has imposed Section 163 till Monday (October 7) and Gwalior Police has arrested at least 30 Hindu Mahasabha members.
Thus, five or more people cannot gather anywhere. Also, processions, demonstrations or public meetings cannot be held without the permission of the adminration.
The Hindu Mahasabha also protested on Wednesday, the day both teams arrived in the city.
