It is widely known around the world that cricket is a sport mostly tied to the subcontinent of India. The country has it as its national sport and everyone knows that their national team as well as professional teams are some of the best on the planet. However, within the country, there are many places and regions that are more popular than others when this fascinating sport is concerned. Cities that come to mind first are of course the capital of New Delhi and other big cultural and social hubs like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Surat.
Out of all of those, it is Nagpur that is frequently referenced as one of the cricketing mechas. Why is this so and what makes it so important despite having less than half of the population of most of the bigger ones? We explore it in this article so make sure to join us if you are interested in cricket and want to know more about it. It makes sense to know as much as you can about it, especially if you are a fan of the Indian Premier League and betting on SRL cricket live games. Learning about the history of the sport can not only make you a more complete fan but a better gambler, too.
An Overview of Nagpur
Nagpur is located in central India, the state of Maharashtra, about 800 km east of Mumbai, and it has the nickname of the “Orange City” because it cultivates the fruit. Their own sort, the famous Nagpur oranges, are known for their juiciness and sweetness. It has a huge historical significance as the seat of the Bhonsle Marathas as well as the former capital of the Central Provinces under the rule of Britain. Apart from oranges, the city is big in manufacturing, IT, and the automotive industry. An estimated 3.1 million people live here and it is the 13th largest city by area in India.
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Its main symbol is the Deekshabhoomi, the sacred Buddhist monument, and the place where Dr. B. R. Ambedkar converted to Buddhism with his followers in 1954. There is a rich assortment of Maharashtrian cuisine to try out as well as other temples like Vishnu, Ramtek, and Balaji Mandir. Many wildlife sanctuaries surround the city including the Pench National Park and the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Of course, the city is also well-known for its sporting history of cricket.
Nagpur and Cricket
The city is a huge hub for the fans of cricket, as well as the sport in general, and one of the most significant places in all of India for their favorite pastime activity. With a rich history and key infrastructure, it is at the top of the list of cricket cities despite many others being bigger and more populous. For starters, the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium is located there. The city is therefore home to one of the most prominent international venues in the country.
Over the years, it has hosted multiple international matches in all formats, from test matches and one-day internationals (ODIs) to T20s. Some of the most historic matches that the city of Nagput has hosted so far include those at the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The pitch is of very high quality and it provides exciting contests regardless of who is playing. Of course, when the international team is playing at home, the atmosphere is electrifying and the capacity of 45,000 is filled out to the last spot.
Apart from having one of the most iconic venues in the entire sport, Nagpur is also the home of some of the most important Indian players. A lot of young talent is brewed here, many of whom go out to play for some of the best teams out there. The most notable cricketers who call Nagpur home include Zaheer Khan, the former fast bowler, and Ravi Jadhav. Other big names worth mentioning are Pravin Tambe, Amol Muzumdar, and Sanjay Jagdale.
The entire culture surrounding the sport in the city is unlike anywhere else as the passionate local fan base is very serious about it. It is more than a sport for them, it is a way of life and an integral part of who they are and what their city stands for. As such, the whole community and the city play a vital role in nurturing young talent through local clubs and academies. Speaking of clubs, the Yash Cricket Club, Kalmadi Shamrao Cricket Club, and Orange City Cricket Club are some of the more popular ones that focus on junior and senior level development.
A more prestigious club is the Nagpur Univeristy Cricket Club which represents the city’s highest educational establishment. It focuses on university-level cricket and has been the breeding ground for local talent for many years. Of course, we also have to mention that the governing body for cricket in the Vidarbha region, the Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) is based here. It oversees the development of the sport and organizes various tournaments on all levels. They are also in charge of the stadium.
