ICC has given green light for Ranchi ODI: Jharkhand Cricket Association

The people of Ranchi are all set to witness their favourite son Mahendra Singh Dhoni lead the national cricket team after International Cricket Council gave green light newly constructed stadium where the ODI between India and England will be held on January 19.

"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," JSCA supremo Amitabh Choudhary told a press conference here.

"And there is every possibility of Dhoni leading Team India on his home soil for the first time on January 19," the IPS officer added.

"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 International Cricket Council.

In his recommendation to the ICC, Boon said the stadium has specious facilities with its potential to be one of extremely great standard, Choudhary said, adding the former Australian opener was satisfied with both security and distance between stadium and accommodation/ airport as well.

The Security Committee would be headed by Inspector General of Police R K Malik.

A three-member ECB team visited the complex today and appreciated the international standard, Choudhary said, adding the highly adorable stadium has no pillar to obstruct fans from viewing the game from galleries.

The distance between the stadium and the accommodation of players/officials is just ten to fifteen minutes and five to ten minutes from the airport, the JSCA chief said.

Choudhary said the two teams would reach Ranchi on January 16 and on the next day the stadium would be formally inaugurated.

"We have taken permission from the BCCI to formally inaugurate the stadium, jointly by Jharkhand chief minister and the BCCI president on January 17," the JSCA president said.

Choudhary said he would personally invite some important dignitaries for the inauguration ceremony, which would be graced by the members of Team India and England.

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 expected to get the status as a Test venue, Choudhary said the JSCA was moving step by step. "First we held first class cricket and now ODI."