Overview

Constructed in one of the most polluted cities in India, Kanpur's Green Park stadium, situated close to the river Ganges, accommodates 39,255 - mostly uncovered - spectators. Established in 1945, the ground, which has seen frequent changes, lacks the tradition which some of the other premier Test grounds boast of. Its floodlights are slung low, and were used for the first time last year in a Test featuring South Africa. A number of dull drawn games have been the feature of the Tests at Kanpur, thanks to lifeless pitches; this, in part, is the fault of the region's soil, for it does not encourage bounce and pace.

For long not too many fixtures were held here, until the local cricket association prepared a ground fit for international cricket. And if the eyes and lungs can adapt and overcome the thick smog that pervades the city, the pitch is a batsmen's paradise. Mohammad Azharuddin hit the last of his three consecutive hundreds during his sensational debut. In 1986-87, Sri Lanka and India produced 1096 runs and lost only 17 wickets. In the 90s, India and West Indies produced an average of 73 runs per wicket. More recently, Shahid Afridi blitzed a 45-ball century, playing through the line and swinging across and one could sense him almost closing his eyes as he smote the ball; it was that kind of pitch.
(Rahul Bhatia)