By: Aditya Ahuja

The Tripura Cricket Association (TCA) is set to inaugurate the state’s first international cricket stadium in Narsingarh, located in the West Tripura district, with a one-day international match or an IPL (Indian Premier League) T20 encounter. Subrata Dey, the secretary of TCA, announced that the stadium is expected to be operational for hosting major cricket events by February 2025.

Dey mentioned that their objective is to complete the international stadium project as swiftly as possible. They aim to have the stadium ready for prestigious cricket matches by January 2025 or mid-February according to the revised schedule.

Additionally, he stated that they have established a clear roadmap for this project, and the agencies and design firms involved have been instructed to accelerate their efforts.

Dey elaborated on the extended timelines of the project, stating that construction began in 2017 with an original completion target of 22 months. However, due to slow progress from the involved agencies, the project experienced delays. In response, they initiated weekly progress reviews to accelerate the construction process.

Dey also highlighted how Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s election address in Kumarghat, Unakoti district, served as motivation. The minister’s assurance that Tripura would witness international and T20 matches next year inspired the entire TCA team, including engineers, pitch curators, and technical staff, who are now optimistic about hosting the inaugural international cricket match. They are actively seeking support from BCCI and other stakeholders to ensure the success of this endeavor.

The northeastern state’s first stadium, a collaboration between BCCI and TCA with a budget of Rs 200 crore, will have a seating capacity for 25,000 spectators, marking a milestone in Tripura’s sporting infrastructure.