After a hard day’s play scorers, umpires and visitors retreat to the pavilion only to find an uncleaned floor and broken pipes scattered in the place which was once a launching pad for many a cricketing legend.
Renowned cricketer M L Jaisimha, who played for Hyderabad scored a swashbuckling century at these grounds even as his team-mates cheered from the pavilion. He later went on to play for the Indian cricket team.
Karnataka spin wizard E A S Prasanna secured a resounding victory over Andhra Pradesh in a Ranji trophy match at the same ground.
The likes of Syed Kirmani, Sandeep Patil, Dileep Vengsarkar, Narendra Hirwani and Roger Binny have also played at this ground.
Even college and club cricketers who have played on this ground recall with fondness, the time they spent padded up, waiting for their turn and when a wicket fell, they would go down the steps and walk the little distance to the centre of the wicket, like they were walking into Brabourne stadium or a Chepauk stadium wicket.
Yet, the sports pavilion remains one of the most neglected spots in the city. Scorers mark runs on the score sheet sitting on the uncleaned floor. The pavilion, which comes under purview of the University of Mysore has somehow failed to notice that they need to be given basic facilities.
Even though the office of Department of Physical Education is right next door, it has ignored the dirt and muck surrounding the pavilion. It has also failed to provide toilets and dressing rooms for the visiting teams which is a must in any stadium.
According to sources, when Veeraraje Urs was the director of department of physical education, the facilities included a room each for visiting sides and also seating arrangements. However, post 1972, when the last Ranji trophy match at this ground was held, the quality of facilities started deteriorating. Later, the matches were shifted to Gangothri Glades stadium.
While the University of Mysore has signed a memorandum of understanding recently to develop the Gangothri Glades stadium, it is yet to take any measures to resurrect one of the oldest cricket pitches in Mysore to its former glory.
It is to be seen as to when authorities will address the issues.