IND vs BAN, 1st T20I: Towhid Hridoy expects a 'slow pitch' at Gwalior stadium

Bangladesh middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy has predicted a slow pitch for the opening T20I against India at the Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Stadium. This will mark the venue's first international match, presenting both teams with an unfamiliar challenge.

In Short

• Towhid Hridoy predicts a slow pitch for the India-Bangladesh T20I opener
• This will be first international game at Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Stadium
• Hridoy has said that Bangladesh are here to win the T20I series vs India

Bangladesh middle-order batter Towhid Hridoy expects the pitch to be sluggish in the T20 series opener against India, as both teams enter unfamiliar territory at the Shrimant Madhavrao Stadium, which will host its first international encounter on Sunday.

"T20 is a game of runs, every team want to score runs. But no international match has happened here, it is a new venue. We don't know what will be the condition. Looking at the practice wicket, I feel it is a slow pitch. In such wickets having a high-scoring game is very less. No IPL match has also happened here," Hridoy said.

Hridoy also highlighted that the team is here to win the series, despite the absence of champion all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who recently retired from T20 and Test cricket. "Pressure is always there, but if we think about that then we will not be able to perform well, our focus is always on process and how to perform. Shakib bhai is not there, we will miss him but everyone has to go one day, we are hopeful we will be able to beat them," said Hridoy.

With just a day to go before Gwalior's international cricket debut, the newly built stadium remains a hive of activity. While the playing field is ready, organizers are racing against time to finish work on the stands and surrounding areas. The Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA) has dispatched a team from Indore to ensure smooth operations for the high-profile game, which is expected to attract several VIPs.

In recent weeks, heavy rainfall has caused damage to roads leading to the venue, and part of the stadium’s perimeter wall collapsed, adding to the last-minute rush. "We have been here for more than a week. It takes more time to get work done in Gwalior compared to Indore. The elevators in one of the stands were only installed this morning," said an official involved in the preparation.

While the seating arrangements remain a work in progress, officials are relieved that the game will be held in the evening, sparing fans the discomfort of sitting in uncovered stands under the hot sun.