Refurbished Wankhede to host Ranji match

The refurbished Wankhede Stadium will host its first Ranji Trophy match in November between defending champions Mumbai and Assam. The Wankhede has been undergoing renovation for the 2011 World Cup.

"It was decided at our managing committee meeting that the first-class fixture that would be played at the Wankhede Stadium would be the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Assam beginning November 24," Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) joint secretary Lalchand Rajput said. "We are planning to play some more matches till December 31, when we have to hand over the stadium to the ICC for the World Cup. Our first fixture in the World Cup is on March 18 (sic March 13)."

The renovation of the stadium, primarily on the east and south sides, was progressing well, Rajput said. The total projected cost of the renovation, which includes a state-of-the-art air-conditioned media box on the north side to accommodate 250 journalists, is Rs 280 crore, according to a report in the Times of India.

The capacity of the stadium will be reduced following renovation. "The capacity would be 34,000. Earlier it was 38,000," Rajput said.

The stadium had earlier been dropped as the venue for the third Test between India and New Zealand from November 20 to 24 due to the work. The MCA did not want to host a Test without a proper trial run.