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'It's going to be jam-packed'

Rajkot readies huge welcome for Tigers

Sports Reporter from Rajkot
The facilities provided to Bangladesh cricketers, especially the ones who are not centered in Dhaka, have been a topic of interest since the recent players' strike. District players who need to undergo fitness and conditioning exercises often have no place other than Mirpur where they can find such facilities.
It is a well-known fact that if you can provide the facilities, promising cricketers will thrive and Rajkot's Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium is one such ground in India where the facilities provided are top-class despite the ground hosting very little international cricket since its inception.
Located in the clean and fairly simple city of Rajkot, the stadium has hosted only six international matches - two Tests, two GDIs and two T2OIs - and has a media box in the mould of the famous Lord's in England.
With the second T20I between Bangladesh and India scheduled for November 7, the ground staffs first responsibility will be to counter the effect of the impending cyclonic storm, Maha, which will reportedly bring extremely heavy rainfall to Saurashtra and Gujarat over the next few days.
Saurashtra Cricket Association (SCA) secretary Himangshu Saha told reporters: "Recent reports say that it's going to subside. And we are very hopeful... because now the observation says that it's going to be in the morning hours... if there's any morning shower then it won't be a problem.
"If there's any crazy rain there then we can't say that. But earlier in 2013 between India and Australia, we had some rain till 3:34pm but there was no problem. The drainage system is absolutely fantastic."
The Stadium hosts one of the biggest net facilities in India with 28 net wickets for practice. For good measure they also have 12 centre wickets. While the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has a hard time maintaining the grounds across the country, Saha informed that agencies were used for the housekeeping of the venue, which has been functional since 2013.
"We have agencies for housekeeping and permanent ground staff and everything, so about 150-200 people," Himanshu informed.
However, the Stadium does see a lot of cricket despite the dearth of international fixtures in Rajkot. "Basically, we have a long domestic season. We have many domestic matches being played here. We have three or four grounds in Rajkot. 1 would say about 200 days this ground is busy."
The Association was excited to host Bangladesh for the first time and they were expecting a capacity crowd on Thursday. "This is the first time Bangladesh is coming to play here in Rajkot, so there's good excitement among the association and also spectators. We have got a very good response in selling tickets. It's going to be jam-packed."
With a flat batting track on offer, the crowd will be expecting a good show come Thursday.