Mumbai: The glass panel shattered at St George’s Park Stadium during a T20I match between India and South Africa in December 2023 when Rinku Singh smashed a powerful six, and the stadium is yet to repair the panel due to budget constraints.
In the T20I match, Singh had smashed a huge six off Aiden Markram’s bowling that hit the media box glass panel just next to the Graeme Pollock pavilion. Although he made a quick apology that stayed in the headlines for more than year, Singh’s comments have taken a long time to come to ground.
Budget ConstraintsThe stadium’s maintenance official, Terrence, explains the complex situation: “The height is difficult to repair because it requires cranes and heavy machinery.” Such equipment cannot come in the field during running matches”.
Priority RepairsThe stadium has faced more pressing maintenance issues:A stand roof was destroyed in a storm in August 2024 and insurance claims were rejected because of wear and tear.The facility, however, had to spend 400,000 Rand on essential repairs.
Expensive and logistically challengingNot bullet proof material, but safety glass, it’s expensive and logistically challenging to replace. These safety panels crack internally without the loss of structural integrity, unlike regular glass.
The broken panel remains on the repair list, but it’s not a priority because it is not a threat to safety at this time. However, the stadium continues to host matches, including matches in the current SA20 where MI Cape Town’s Dewald Bruws nearly struck at the same spot.
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