The once lush greens of Keenan Stadium that witnessed some of the best moments of Indian cricket is getting ready for its second innings.
After the renovation of JRD Tata Sports Complex following launching of Jamshedpur FC team in Indian Super League ( ISL), Keenan Stadium is all set for a makeover. If everything goes as planned, the historic Keenan Stadium will start hosting international cricket and IPL matches in days to come.
At present all the seven galleries surrounding the stadium have begun to crumble and portion of existing on the northern side have already started giving in.
Sunil Bhaskaran, vice president, corporate services, Tata Steel, talking to the media on the sidelines of the Tata Open Golf press conference at Golmuri Club said that within a year or two Jamshedpur will host Indian Premier League (IPL) matches like ongoing Indian Super League (ISL).
“We are very much aware of present situation at Keenan Stadium. Steps will be taken to renovate the stadium. We have been holding talks with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) and we are hopeful to start renovation work,” said, Bhaskaran, adding that a proposal has been sent to BCCI and JSCA. The state association wants the Keenan Stadium on long-term lease and we have to take a call over the matter. Bhaskaran further said that once the Lodha committee recommendations are implemented fully in BCCI, the renovation work would start at the Keenan Stadium.
As effort to revive the rich glory of the stadium, Tata Steel officials held a meeting with then Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) secretary Rajesh Verma in June last year for return of international cricket at the Keenan Stadium which last hosted the international cricket match (ODI) between India-England in the year 2006 and since then the ground has remained limited to Ranji trophy and other domestic matches.
Built in 1939 and named after Sir John Lawrence Keenan, one of the then general managers of Tata Steel, the stadium was a prime cricket venue in eastern India after Kolkata’s fabled Eden Gardens. But the last ODI was held more than six years ago, on April 12, 2006, between India and England, as part of the TVS Cup series. It has hosted 10 international matches, first being the India-West Indies match in December 7, 1983, so far. Barring, one match (against South Africa in March 2000) India has never won a match here.
At present, the stadium is a shadow of its former self, pillars have weakened. Even galleries ringing the ground are deemed unsafe to bear the load of spectators.