Mumbai-Assam Ranji tie at refurbished Wankhede Stadium

Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has decided to stage the inaugural Ranji Trophy match at the refurbished Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on November 24 between defending champions Mumbai and Assam in the Elite League.

"It was decided yesterday [Friday] at our managing committee meeting that the first first class fixture that would be played at the Wankhede Stadium would be the Ranji Trophy match between Mumbai and Assam beginning November 24," said MCA joint secretary Lalchand Rajput on Saturday.

Rajput said that things are progressing well in the refurbishment of the stadium which is undergoing renovation mostly on the east side and south side.

"We are planning to play some more matches till December 31 when we have to hand over the stadium to the ICC (International Cricket Council) for the World Cup. Our first fixture in the World Cup (Sri Lanka v New Zealand) is on March 18," the former India and Mumbai opener said.

The total projected cost of the renovation work, that includes a state-of-the-art air-conditioned media box on the north side of the stadium to accommodate 250 scribes, is Rs 280 crore, he said.

Rajput said giant scoreboards would be provided by the ICC on rent during the World Cup while the capacity of the stadium would be cut by 4000 seats following the renovation.

"The capacity would be 34,000. Earlier it was 38,000," he explained.