Srinagar’s Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium
On October 13 1983, it hosted its first One Day International between India and the West Indies, a game infamous for pitch disruptions during the lunch interval, followed by rain and dust storms where Desmond Haynes’s unbeaten 55 sealed a revised victory for the visitors. Three years later, on September 9, 1986, Allan Border’s match-winning 90 not out eclipsed Sunil Gavaskar’s 52 off 56 balls as Australia edged India by three wickets. The occasion is made sweeter by the team’s meteoric rise as Jammu and Kashmir, created history last season by winning their maiden Ranji Trophy title after a 67-year wait, defeating powerhouse Karnataka in the final. Sensing excitement around the five-day match, the J&K Cricket Association (JKCA) is working around the clock to ensure the venue is fully upgraded. Speaking about the extensive preparations underway, head of cricket operations Majid Dar told TOI, “Basically, this ground was not meant for live matches, but the BCCI had already sent a team for a recce in advance, one-and-a-half months back. “Currently, the seating capacity of the ground was around 2000 to 2500. We have increased it now, making it a total seating arrangement for 5000 people,” Dar explained. Passes will be issued on Sept 30 from 1:00pm to 4:00pm at the stadium premises upon verification of an Aadhaar card or one more valid ID proof,” Dar added. Beyond temporary spectator facilities, the JKCA has built lasting infrastructure to support high-profile broadcasts. Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news , check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule .
” Reflecting on the historical milestone, Dar added, “This is history. We are very excited to host the Irani Trophy for the first time,” he said. To handle the expected surge of spectators, seating arrangements have been installed around the perimeter. We have also set up dedicated rooms for match officials, renovated the dressing rooms, and erected TV towers required for the live broadcast,” Dar said.
For four decades, the story of top-tier cricket at the Sher-i-Kashmir Stadium lived in archivist notes and yellowed newspaper clippings. The venue’s international history is brief but historic. hosting domestic cricket’s premier red-ball tournament marks the most significant high-profile showcase the state has seen in generations While an Irani Cup fixture in Srinagar may not carry the international label of those 1980s ODIs. They gave us a checklist of certain requirements like broadcasting rooms, camera towers, and a few other things. We were able to fulfill those requirements on time, and we are ready to host the match. Such a big event is taking place after three to four decades. It is a massive boost for cricket lovers and cricketers of the Valley. “We do not want the venue to get overcrowded; we want to keep the situation controlled. Everyone who enters the ground should have the tickets for the match as there will be tight security in place. Join conversation Share your thoughts in the comments Be respectful · TOI community guidelines ” Entry to the ground will be strictly regulated, with tickets issued free of cost to fans on a first-come, first-served basis. “We will distribute passes for the general public on a first-come, first-served basis, while some seats are allocated for invitees and personal guests. These structures are not makeshift, they are built to stay as we have two live games scheduled. Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.
“The broadcasting room was not there earlier, so we created a broadcasting room in a short span of time.