‘Udupi needs a modern cricket stadium capable of hosting major major matches’

Udupi District Cricket Association president Krishna Prasad on Saturday said there was a need for a modern cricket stadium in Udupi.

He was speaking at the launch of book “Red Cherries on the Canara Coast: The Story of Cricket in Mangaluru and Udupi“ and inauguration of a photography exhibition on coastal cricketing heritage organised by Art Kanara Trust, Mangaluru, in association with the Artists’ Forum, Udupi at Gallery Dristi, Udupi.

Mr. Prasad said such a stadium should be capable of hosting major matches, including IPL fixtures. Given the long and vibrant cricketing tradition of the coastal belt, he said such a facility would inspire young talent and provide a platform for competitive leagues. Supporting this view, former umpire Kasturi Balakrishna Pai shared anecdotes from the region’s cricketing past, thus underscoring the depth of local engagement with the sport.

The book was released in the presence of Mr. Prasad, Mr. Pai, the book’s author Jayanth Kodkani, INTACH Mangaluru chapter convener Subhas Chandra Basu, senior artist and Artists’ Forum president Ramesh Rao and others.

Mr. Basu spoke on the genesis of the project, recalling how informal discussions with veteran cricketer and umpire Kasturi Balakrishna Pai in 2022 led first to an exhibition and eventually to the idea of documenting the region’s cricketing history in book form.

Century-old history

Mr. Ramesh Rao fondly recalled his childhood memories of cricket in Udupi, sharing personal stories that resonated with the audience. Author Jayanth Kodkani reflected on the importance of history in shaping collective identity. “It is important for people to cultivate a sense of their shared past. These are the traces of the sport that I have attempted to follow,” he said.

“The game here has a history of more than a hundred years,” he said, citing a rare Basel Mission photograph from 1898 depicting boys playing cricket in Udupi, included in the book. He also recalled Udupi hosting its biggest cricketing event 47 years ago — a Ranji Trophy match between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh at the MGM College ground, which concluded in just two days with Karnataka winning by eight wickets.

Visitors go through the photography exhibition on coastal cricketing heritage, in Udupi on Saturday.
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SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The exhibition, featuring rare photographs, archival material and memorabilia, will remain open to the public till December 15, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Gallery Dristi, Vidyaranya Marga, Udupi.