India to get new international cricket stadium! Here's all you need to know

The Maharashtra government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Kolhapur District Cricket Association (KDCA) for constructing an international-standard cricket stadium in Kolhapur. It has been envisaged as a multi-sports hub with world-class facilities.

The agreement was signed in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister and Sports Minister Sunetra Pawar at the Mantralaya. The government has transferred 12.76 hectares (31.90 acres) of land at Vikaswadi in Karveer taluka to the KDCA on lease.

The stadium will have a capacity of around 35,000 people, according to the government. Additionally, it will be constructed according to the norms of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the International Cricket Council (ICC).

The project will include a modern pavilion, practice grounds, an indoor training centre, a sports science centre, a clubhouse, floodlights, a cricket museum, parking facilities, internal roads, drainage infrastructure, a solar power project and advanced security systems.

Currently, Team India will gear up to lock horns with Zimbabwe for the three-match T20I series, beginning from July 23. The first match is scheduled to be played at the Harare Sports Club.

The "Men in Blue" will enter the three-match series after suffering a loss against England. Earlier, the "Men in Blue" also faced a shocking defeat in the T20I series against Ireland. Since Shreyas Iyer's appointment as captain in the shortest format, Team India has suffered two consecutive defeats. It will be interesting to see if Iyer and his men bounce back against Zimbabwe.

Additionally, wicketkeeper-batsman Sanju Samson has been dropped from India's squad for the upcoming series. Cricket fans will also keep a tab on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. In the series against England, the left-handed batsman didn't taste much success. Ahead of the series against Zimbabwe, Sooryavanshi will be expected to deliver big knocks.

So far, India has announced their squad for the upcoming T20I series against Zimbabwe.

India's squad for the series against Zimbabwe

Shreyas Iyer (C), Ishan Kishan (WK), Rinku Singh, Shivam Dube, Abhishek Sharma, Yash Thakur, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Tilak Varma, Ravi Bishnoi, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Mayank Yadav, Ashok Sharma, Prince Yadav, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.

(With PTI Inputs)