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November 15, 2007

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur has hosted a solitary Test match, in February 1987, when Pakistan President Gen Zia-ul-Haq hopped across the border to watch the second day’s play as part of his “Cricket for Peace” initiative.

The game sputtered to a draw after the third day’s play was abandoned following heavy rain and a controversy over the alleged deposition of sawdust on the wicket which Pakistan objected to. Jaipur had made its international debut with an india-Pakistan ODI in 1983-84 and it also hosted World Cup matches in 1987 and 1996. But it seemed destined to be a one-Test wonder and a cricketing backwater until Lalith Modi took charge of the Rajasthan Cricket Association.

There followed a major renovation programme which transformed a dull concrete bowl and also led to the establishment of an academy next to the ground. It was not coincidence that, with Modi at the helm, the ground hosted a number of matches in the 2006-07 Champions Trophy.