Even as the temperatures were rising in the build-up second one-dayer in Nagpur, the ‘action’ had already begun near the boundary ropes. Virat Kohli — who had to make way for Yuvraj Singh — and Praveen Kumar were giving finishing touches to their batting practice, when a ball struck photographers covering the match.

With their expensive equipment turning out to be the target for cricketers, the photographers asked Kohli and Praveen to move aside. It obviously didn’t go down well with the duo, who exchanged heated words with the photographers. While Munaf Patel tried his best to broker a peace deal, it needed the intervention of local officials to pacify the photographers.

However cricket crazy India might be, the stadiums are hardly better equipped to host international matches. But the Vidarbha Cricket Stadium in Nagpur brings in fresh breeze of change to Indian cricket.

Situated 16 kms on the outskirts of the city in Jamtha, the stadium is sprawling to say the least.

Sahan Bidappa