Holkar Stadium in Indore is all set to host its first matches of the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025, with the tournament beginning on October 1. The venue has prepared meticulously to ensure that players and spectators experience top-class facilities, making it a fitting stage for international women’s cricket.
The stadium has three pitches ready for competition. Two are constructed on black soil to offer pace and bounce for seam bowlers, while the third is a red-soil wicket designed to favor spinners later in the innings. Groundsmen have spent weeks preparing these surfaces to balance fairness and competitiveness for both batting and bowling sides. The pitch preparation also included extensive practice matches to simulate actual game conditions and monitor performance under various scenarios.
Given that October in Indore can see occasional rain, the ground staff has also put robust rain mitigation plans in place. The stadium team has rehearsed the rapid deployment of covers, super soppers, and blowers to ensure minimal disruption in case of showers. Their goal is to make the ground match-ready within 30 to 40 minutes after any rainfall. Past experiences with domestic and international matches have helped the staff develop efficient protocols to handle sudden weather interruptions.
Infrastructure upgrades have been a key focus ahead of the tournament. Holkar Stadium has upgraded its floodlights to LED systems, providing instant brightness and better coverage for evening games. This will enhance both on-field visibility for players and viewing quality for spectators and television audiences. Additional improvements include seating repairs, facility upgrades, and enhanced amenities for players, officials, and media personnel.
Ticketing and fan arrangements have also been finalized. Affordable pricing tiers have been set across different stands to encourage strong local support. With matches scheduled primarily in the afternoon and evening, organizers are expecting enthusiastic crowds for India’s high-profile games against England, as well as contests featuring Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
This marks Holkar Stadium’s debut as a Women’s World Cup venue. Indore returns to hosting women’s international cricket after nearly three decades, with the last World Cup matches in the city dating back to the 1990s. The stadium has previously hosted men’s internationals and IPL fixtures, and the organizers are confident that this experience will translate into smooth operations for the World Cup matches.
The combination of prepared pitches, upgraded lighting, trained ground staff, and rain contingency plans positions Holkar Stadium to host seamless One Day Internationals. Organizers aim not only to conduct competitive matches but also to highlight the growing stature of women’s cricket in India. Fans and players alike are looking forward to a world-class experience at the venue, with the stadium ready to showcase memorable moments from the opening of the Women’s World Cup.
Holkar Stadium’s careful preparations reflect a broader push to provide women’s cricket the attention, infrastructure, and professionalism that it deserves, ensuring the tournament gets off to a spectacular start.
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