Holkar Stadium in Indore is undergoing a fort-themed exterior makeover and internal facility upgrades ahead of the India-West Indies T20I scheduled for October 11, with the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association also adding hospitality seating and preparing a platform for VIP spectators.
The stadium’s entrance gates are being redesigned with a fort-inspired appearance and a red-brick aesthetic similar to the existing museum at the venue. The height and pattern of the outer boundary walls are also being changed as part of the work. MPCA secretary Sudhir Asnani told The Times of India that the walls were being raised and redesigned, while the entrance gates had been replaced and increased in height.
Repair work and improvements are also being carried out inside the stadium. Dressing rooms are being renovated, a special platform is being prepared for VIP spectators and other facilities are scheduled to be reviewed and completed before the match. The hospitality area has been expanded with additional seating across different sections, adding around 250 to 300 seats in that category.
The work comes as demand for tickets remains strong. General-category tickets for the fixture sold out within 113 minutes after online sales opened at 6 am on September 25. The match is expected to draw a packed crowd, making the condition and capacity of the venue’s entrances, seating areas and supporting facilities central to the spectator experience.
The changes are being presented as a visual and functional upgrade to a venue with a long international cricket history. Holkar Stadium hosted its first international match in 2006, when India played England. It has since staged Test, one-day international and T20 matches, along with Indian Premier League fixtures.
The stadium’s identity is closely connected to the Holkar royal family, which provided land for the ground and supported the growth of cricket in the region. The Holkar cricket team played 10 Ranji Trophy seasons, reached eight finals and won four titles. The fort-inspired redesign draws on that historical association while giving the stadium a distinct appearance before the upcoming international fixture.
Several sections of the venue already commemorate prominent Indian cricketers. The pavilion is named after former players Colonel C K Nayudu and Mushtaq Ali, while the dressing rooms honour Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Rahul Dravid. Stands are named after Vijay Hazare, Ajit Wadekar, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar and Anil Kumble.
The MPCA’s current work combines façade changes, repairs, renovated player facilities and expanded hospitality capacity. The remaining improvements and facility reviews are to be completed before the October 11 match, when the upgraded stadium is scheduled to receive spectators for the India-West Indies T20I.
