NEW DELHI: The prospect of hosting the last international fixture in the foreseeable future is not the only problem the authorities at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur are dealing with.
The stadium, the venue of the second Test match between India and Bangladesh, wears an old-world look. Civic authorities have deemed one of the stands unsafe to seat its full capacity. There are structural problems with one of the floodlight towers. Hygiene and maintenance of the blocks are questionable.
Not just that, there are reports that the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has hired langurs and their handlers to end the food-grabbing menace of monkeys.
According to a report in the Indian Express, the television cameras crew in the stands are most vulnerable to monkeys swiping their drinks and snacks.
"To avoid the terror of monkeys, we have langurs (long-tailed leaf monkeys) to take care of them," the report quoted venue director Sanjay Kapoor.
According to the report, in order to prevent monkeys from gaining access to food, black cloth was placed at the back and sides of the elevated stand, which is just outside the boundary line and is used by the television team to set up the camera at the stadium and film the game.
While the presence of monkeys often creates moments of humor, it can also be distracting for players. Fans, especially in open-air stadiums, sometimes have to deal with monkeys roaming the stands. In some cases, monkeys may snatch food or belongings from spectators.
In the past, some stadiums, especially those located near forested areas or regions with high monkey populations, have taken steps of deployment of langurs and fencing and guards to prevent such disruptions.
Although monkey interference is rare in high-profile international matches, it's a reminder of how cricket can sometimes blend with the natural world in unexpected ways.
