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Baroda, now Vadodara, has lengthy been a cricketing hub in India, boasting a wealthy legacy of manufacturing legendary gamers and internet hosting unforgettable matches. The town has been residence to iconic cricketers, from Vijay Hazare and Dattajirao Krishnarao Gaekwad to Kiran Extra and Aunshuman Gaekwad, and, in newer instances, the Pathan brothers (Irfan and Yusuf) and the Pandya brothers (Krunal and Hardik).
Cricket was first launched to Vadodara within the early 1900s by the Maharaja of Baroda, Sayajirao Gaekwad, who performed a key function in establishing the Baroda Cricket Affiliation (BCA). Since then, the Motibaug Floor has remained a cherished venue, attracting passionate crowds keen to look at their state crew compete in home tournaments.
“It’s a cricket-crazy city. People turn up for any Ranji game, even in extreme heat. They stay late into the night as well,” mentioned a BCA official.
Through the years, Vadodara’s enthusiasm for the game has led to the event of a brand new venue – the Kotambi Worldwide Stadium.
A New Period
Located simply off the Harod-Halol-Vadodara freeway, Kotambi is a hidden gem ready to be found. The stadium’s intricately designed outer facade, that includes a wood-like end, stands in placing distinction to the plush inexperienced apply subject set in opposition to the encircling barren panorama.
The 35,000-capacity stadium was inaugurated in December 2024 with a well-attended three-match ODI collection between India Girls and West Indies Girls. The Girls’s Premier League’s choice to incorporate Vadodara as a bunch metropolis additional bolstered the area’s cricketing significance.
The 35,000-capacity venue, inaugurated in December 2024, marked its grand opening with a well-attended three-match ODI collection between India Girls and the West Indies Girls.
| Picture Credit score:
Sportzpics for BCCI
The 35,000-capacity venue, inaugurated in December 2024, marked its grand opening with a well-attended three-match ODI collection between India Girls and the West Indies Girls.
| Picture Credit score:
Sportzpics for BCCI
All through the opening leg of the WPL, the environment was electrical, culminating in a near-capacity crowd through the Gujarat Giants’ fixture in opposition to defending champion Royal Challengers Bengaluru. For the Giants’ devoted, the high-scoring defeat was a bitter capsule to swallow, however new captain Ashleigh Gardner’s high-quality type reassured them that the crew was in protected fingers.
“I am looking forward to seeing Ashleigh Gardner go at it again,” mentioned Yuvaraaj Singh, a pupil at Parul College in Vadodara, forward of the Giants’ conflict in opposition to UP Warriorz, their second match of the season.
“This is my first time watching a cricket match in a stadium. I’m hoping to see Gujarat play great cricket and do better this time,” he added.
READ | WPL 2025: Kiran Navgire assured regardless of UP Warriorz’ loss to Delhi Capitals
The Australian all-rounder didn’t disappoint, producing a match-winning knock in an easy chase to safe the Giants’ first factors of the season. In the meantime, off-field leisure stored the group engaged, with mascots energising the stands and mid-innings performances to the most recent chart-toppers.
By way of the opening leg of the WPL, the environment has been electrical, with a near-capacity crowd through the residence aspect Gujarat Giants’ fixture in opposition to title holder Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
| Picture Credit score:
Kavita Menon
By way of the opening leg of the WPL, the environment has been electrical, with a near-capacity crowd through the residence aspect Gujarat Giants’ fixture in opposition to title holder Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
| Picture Credit score:
Kavita Menon
United by Cricket
Nevertheless, what really captured Vadodara’s cricketing spirit was the unwavering help for different groups, notably the ever-popular RCB, which started the season by securing back-to-back victories. Regardless of lacking just a few key gamers, RCB displayed its dominance, thrilling the 20,000-strong crowd on opening day.
For the Smriti Mandhana-led aspect, the reception in Vadodara was nothing in need of extraordinary. The franchise continues to garner help past Bengaluru, with resounding chants of “RCB, RCB” echoing by the stands.
“This ‘special’ feeling can’t be found anywhere else,” mentioned RCB’s Georgia Wareham after her aspect’s emphatic win in opposition to Delhi Capitals.
READ | WPL 2025: Delhi Capitals clinches one other shut end to beat UP Warriorz by seven wickets
“Wherever we play, to hear the RCB chants ringing around the stadium—it’s pretty special to be a part of. We don’t get this anywhere else in the world,” added the Australian spinner, who performed a pivotal function within the win with figures of three/25.
In the meantime, DC captain Meg Lanning shared related sentiments concerning the crowd’s power.
“The atmosphere was incredible. You could barely hear yourself think out in the middle,” Lanning mentioned after her aspect secured a win in opposition to UP Warriorz within the last match of the leg.
“That’s exactly what we, as players, want — playing in front of an excited crowd,” she added.
However what really revealed the spirit of the Vadodara cricket fans was the help they delivered to different groups, particularly fan favorite RCB.
| Picture Credit score:
Sportzpics for WPL
However what really revealed the spirit of the Vadodara cricket fans was the help they delivered to different groups, particularly fan favorite RCB.
| Picture Credit score:
Sportzpics for WPL
An Unforgettable Expertise
Followers travelled from throughout the town to be a part of the motion, converging on the single entry level to the stadium. Making their well beyond hawkers promoting crew merchandise, they navigated by a big parking subject, many clad in jerseys supporting completely different groups.
The six-day cricketing extravaganza in Vadodara concluded with the stadium packed virtually to the brim. Households gathered beneath the town’s nice night sky, witnessing yet one more thrilling contest that introduced the WPL’s Vadodara leg to a detailed.
With high-profile tournaments already gracing Kotambi Worldwide Stadium inside its first few months of operation — and a Girls’s ODI World Cup on the horizon — locals might be eagerly awaiting the return of top-tier cricket to their hometown.
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