Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association prefers Kanpur over Lucknow for Test match

NEW DELHI: Lucknow has missed out on hosting a Test match at the Ekana Stadium after the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association resisted Indian cricket board’s proposal to host New Zealand in November. UPCA preferred hosting the Test match at Green Park stadium in Kanpur on November 25. The capital city will now host a T20I against Sri Lanka on March 18.
The BCCI had shortlisted to award the swanky Ekana stadium it’s first Test hosting India.However, late on Saturday evening, it emerged that UPCA were supposed to get two international fixtures for the season as per the BCCI’s rotation system.
“Once the UPCA realized they would get two international matches in the season, the association decided to take the Test out of Lucknow. Kanpur has been a Test centre for long and the association preferred Kanpur to host the Test. BCCI vice-president Rajeev Shukla, who also hails from Kanpur, also approved the idea,” a top BCCI official said.
UPCA felt Lucknow still not ready to host a big Test
TOI understands that the UPCA felt it could get more gate money from the Ekana Stadium hosting a T20I than a Test match.
However, Lucknow is seen to be a very important centre for BCCI with two new IPL teams on the horizon. If Lucknow has to grow as a cricket centre then the UPCA will have to ensure it gets marquee matches.
Perhaps, the UPCA felt Lucknow is still not ready to host a big Test which includes the World Test Championship winners.