The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium was inaugurated recently and is soon going to witness its first historical match. Sources say that the final rounds of discussion and meetings have finalized it for the upcoming Ranji Trophy matches. IPL chairman Rajiv Shukla has already accepted and sanctioned Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium for Ranji Trophy matches. UPCA Executive Body meeting will be held at Mussoorie for the concluding discussions about Ranji Trophy matches. Rajiv Shukla will also be part of the UPCA Executive Body meeting at Mussoorie and has arrived at Dehradun. Sports minister Arvind Pandey and Rajiv Shukla have been in discussions about international cricket matches organization. During the consecutive meetings, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium was finalized for the domestic Ranji Trophy matches. Many other notable decisions were taken during these meetings.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium lacks the requisite seating capacity for IPL matches by 10,000 – 5,000 seats. If this gap is filled then the stadium can even host the IPL matches coming season. Authorities are in negotiations about this increment of the seating capacity of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium for IPL matches. The stadium was built with a raking budget of 239 crores in the Maharana Pratap Sports College arena. The coming Annual General Meet of BCCI can help resolve the issue of recognition of the state cricket association. The stadium already has a seating capacity of 25,000 people which will now be increased to 35,000. There are night match facilities in the stadium such as 4 high mast lights, with over 392 lights. It has 5 practice pitches and 5 pitches for holding matches as per rules of international cricket association. For security purposes, it has latest axis technology system and building management system. There is IP based equipping for media and broadcasting of the events. Two 100m wide video screens have been installed for the display of cricket matches. Other assets of the stadium are 34 corporate boxes, lounges, club house, bowling arena, auditorium, swimming pool and a banquet hall.