Excited Indian Fans Stream Into World's Biggest Cricket Stadium

Excited fans in Indian face paints streamed into the brand new world's biggest cricket stadium on Wednesday for what promises to be one of the biggest sporting spectacles since the pandemic. The f

"I am absolutely loving it. The stadium looks so impressive and lucky to be the first to sit on these new seats," Shrey Patel, a 26-year-old student seated at the pavilion end, told AFP.

Patel, with Indian colours painted on his cheeks and the tri-colour wrapped around him, shouted "India, India" with his fellow supporters as India took field.

Shiny blue and saffron seats, manicured grass and LED lights welcomed the fans and players in India's only second pink-ball Test at home. The first was in Kolkata against Bangladesh in 2019.

The perfectly round venue promises unobstructed views from every angle and has facilities including four dressing rooms and a club house equipped with an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

A ground staff said he had witnessed many matches at the old Motera Stadium but the atmosphere was not as "electric" as now.