ICC happy with Ranchi stadium, says JSCA president

The people of Ranchi are all set to witness their favourite son Mahendra Singh Dhoni lead the Indian cricket team after the International Cricket Council (ICC) approved the newly constructed JSCA stadium to host the third One-Day International between India and England on January 19, Jharkhand State Cricket Association (JSCA) president Amitabh Choudhary said.

"The ICC has given the green signal to hold the ODI four days ago…the last time Jharkhand had hosted an ODI was in 2006 against England," Choudhary said in Ranchi on Thursday.

"And there is every possibility of Dhoni leading Team India on his home soil for the first time on January 19. I am also optimistic that Ranchi would be in the regular fixture of ODI," he added.

The approval by the ICC came a fortnight after its team headed by David Boon inspected the JSCA stadium and gave its positive recommendation to the ICC.

Choudhary pointed out that Boon in his recommendation to the ICC had said that the stadium boasts of some top class facilities and was also satisfied with both security and distance between stadium and accommodation/airport as well.

The JSCA's security committee would be headed by Inspector General of Police R K Malik.

A three-member ECB team visited the complex on Thursday and had also praised the facilities, adding the highly adorable stadium has no pillar to obstruct fans from viewing the game from galleries, Choudhary said.

Expressing tremendous satisfaction following the construction of the huge complex within three years costing Rs 180 crore, he said the last time Jharkhand hosted an ODI was at Jamshedpur's Keenan Stadium.

"After a long time Jharkhand has got the opportunity to host an international match," he added.

Asked whether Jharkhand expects to get the status as a Test venue, Choudhary said the JSCA is moving step by step. "First we held first class cricket and now ODI."