India v England, Maharashtra Stadium, Pune, India

31 Jan 25

India v England

IDFC First Bank Series 4th T20

Maharashtra Cricket Stadium

Pune, Maharashtra, India

This was the 4th game of a 5 game series which started on 22 Jan at Eden Gardens in  Kolkata and resulted in a 4:1 near whitewash of England. It was designed to prepare the teams for the forthcoming ICC Trophy in Pakistan/Dubai

1st T20I 22 Jan 25	India 133/3	12.5	England 132	20	Eden Gardens Kolkata
2nd T20I 25 Jan 25	India 166/8	19.2	England 165/9	20	MA Chidambaram Stadium Chennai
3rd T20I 28 Jan 25	India 145/9	20	England 171/9	20	Niranjan Shah Stadium Rajkot
4th T20I 31 Jan 25	India 181/9	20	England 166	19.4	Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium Pune
5th T20I 2 Feb 25	India 247/9	20	England 97	10.3	Wankhede Stadium Mumbai

The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is located on the Northern outskirts of Pune in a village called Gahunje

T20I – Tour of India 12	Dec 20 2012	20 Overs	India beat England by 5 wickets
ODI – Tour of India 17	Jan 15 2017	50 Overs	India beat England by 3 wickets
ODI – Tour of India 21	Mar 23 2021	50 Overs	India beat England by 66 runs
ODI – Tour of India 21	Mar 28 2021	50 Overs	India beat England by 7 runs
ODI – ICC Cricket WC 23	Nov 8 2023	50 Overs	England beat Holland by 160 runs
T20I – Tour of India 25	Jan 31 2025	20 Overs	India beat England 15 runs

Since it was opened in 2012 it has hosted many internationals in all formats of the game. This is how England have fared

The stadium has a capacity of 37,406 stadium but tickets were ridiculously hard to get hold of as they were only available to us on an app called 'district by Zomato' but to book on line you had to have an Indian phone number. Luckily Gilly's dad 'Eagle' and Paul from Sheffield had one each, so we had 8 tickets. 

India v England 4th T20I, Pune

Day 1: Arriving in India. After landing in Delhi after an 8 hour + flight from Heathrow and then negotiating a tight transfer to Pune, which the other 5 failed to make😏. 2 hours 15 mins later I arrived in Pune International Airport (PNQ) on Air India flight AI851 at 0700 Hrs on 30 Jan 25

My first sunrise in India is amazing

On arrival at Hotel Bloom in Koregaon Park, need to charge phone, get Rupees and rickshaw to town

The rickshaw ride into the centre of Pune is an experience 

First objective is to visit Shaniwarwada. Here is Shrimant Bajiro Peshwa on his horse

Shaniwarwada was built in 1730 and was the most magnificent mansion built for the Peshwas. 

Today is an important day in the diary of every Indian and the schools are doing culture. It is Martyr's Day, remembering Mahatma Gandhi who was assassinated on this day in 1948

Me and two school teachers

The view facing the statue of Shrimant Bajiro Peshwa

The view of the gardens from the Grand Balcony

The Red Palace (Laal Mahaal) is a reconstruction of the 17th century palace where Shivaji I founded the Maratha Empire. It is believed to be close to the original site

Inside the palace are paintings which are based on the significant events in the life of Shivaji

Shrimant Dagdusheth Halwai Ganpati Mandir is a Hindu temple in Pune and is dedicated to Ganesh. Over a 100 thousand pilgrims visit the 127 year old temple every year.

Lord Ganesh is a Hindu God with the head of an elephant and the body of a human. He is the god of wisdom, luck and beginnings, and is known for removing obstacles 

In Hinduism the swastika symbolises good fortune, prosperity and the sun. It is a sacred symbol

Nana Wada is an old fortified mansion from the Maratha Empire. It was built in 1780 as part of the Peshwa's family residence and also has some British influence.

Much of the building is dedicated to a Freedom Fighter's Museum telling of the struggle for Independence from Britain 

British Empire seat of high office in the Nana Wada

I got to Parvati Hill in the SE of the city via Rickshaw and my driver waited at the foot of the hill while I explored

After negotiating the 108 Parvati Steps I reached the summit. Parvati Hill Temple is dedicated to Shiva and is the oldest heritage structure in Pune.

The Peshwa Museum is a former palace built by Nanasaheb Peshwa in 1795

This is another temple within the Parvati Hill Temple Complex. It was here that I received a good dressing down by a young Indian girl for not taking off my trainers before stepping onto the steps. Every day is a school day!

After retrieving my rickshaw it was off to the Vaishali restaurant to sample South Indian food

Ghee Masala Dosa is a delicious South Indian breakfast dish.  It is filled with a spicy potato filling of onions, chillies, curry leaves, ginger and coriander. The dosa batter is made from rice and Ghee and served with 2 sauces (spicy and coconut)

Suitably filled, I head back to my hotel in Koregaon Park

Day 2: The Aga Khan's Palace and Cricket

The Aga Khan Palace was built in 1892 by Sultan Muhammed Shah Khan III. It is closely linked to the Indian Freedom Movement and is where Mahatma Gandhi and his wife Kasturba were imprisoned during the movement to end British rule. Kasturba and Gandhi's secretary died here 

The statue depicting the 'Quit India Movement'. Following the movement to free India, Gandhi and his family were imprisoned in the palace on 9 Aug 42 and released 6 May 44

After all of that culture I'm off to meet the Sheffield Boys for a pre match beer on my cricket debut

Meet and greet at Koregaon Park

After a 45 minute rickshaw ride we arrive about 9 km from the ground at the Pune Gate Garden Restaurant  just off the main Pune to Mumbai highway

But the Big Kingfishers are flowing

The stadium is located in Gahnje which is flanked by the Sahyadri Hills. Evidently, 2 wheels is the best way to travel

MCA Stadium Gate 1

From the Hill End to the Pavilion End

The 3 levels of the South Stand dominate the stadium. The mid-level is known as the South Special Stand which houses the President's Lounge

The President's Lounge

The North Stand is the heart and spirit of the stadium

North East and East Stand have great views

That is just over 2 runs a ball. No chance!

Steve H - Hearts and Minds, India Campaign 2025

The stadium' has hosted some thrilling matches; in the IPL 2017 the 'Mumbai Indians' defeated the temporary franchise team the 'Rising Pune Supergiants' by one run in the IPL Final. This proved to be their last in the IPL as they were replaced by the Chennai Super Kings. Another game to remember was when India beat Bangladesh in a tough Gp game at the 2019 ICC CWC 

The view from the North Stand just before it erupts in fireworks and cheer, as India edge England to the victory

No matter the score what a great  day in the Sub-Continent

Back to the Pune Gate to regroup and lick wounds

Day 3: Pune Junction to Mumbai CST

On 1 Feb at 0920 I travelled on the Vandebharat Express (India's fastest train) on a 192 Km journey  from Pune Junction to Mumbai CSMT  (Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminal), or to use its former colonial name 'Victoria Terminus'

At £12 Chair Car (CC) class is great 

I even got a breakfast