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India were set to clash against New Zealand in the first Test of the three-match series starting on October 16, at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The match was scheduled to start at 9:30 a.m., but due to heavy rain in Bengaluru, no game has been possible so far. Not only this, but the toss is also yet to take place. As of writing it was still raining, and there was water on the covers. However, it wasn’t a matter of worry due to the availability of the SubAir system at the cricketing venue.
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is equipped with a world-class drainage system and it enables the groundmen to prepare the wicket for a thrilling cricketing action. The SubAir system at the stadium is capable of removing around 10000 litre per minute. The SubAir subsurface aeration and vacuum-powered drainage system at the stadium was installed in 2017 by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
What is SubAir system at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru?
The aeration and vacuum powered drainage system helps to dry the outfield faster and prevent waterlogging. It is a 200-horsepower machine which can drain water “36 times faster” than usual systems. Owing to this system, the match can begin or resume in 15 or 20 minutes after the rain stops.
As per a report in Sportstar, the building and installation of the entire system cost around INR 4.25 Crore, along with the four kilometres of pipe length that has been used. KSCA Vice President B Sampath Kumar was quoted by Sportstar as saying, “The ICC delegation [ahead of the 2023 ODI World Cup] that visited the stadium was most impressed with the SubAir system. Even a big puddle disappears in seconds; it works like magic.”
