The third T20 International played on Tuesday between India and New Zealand in Kerala’s capital city made for an enthralling contest, as the match went right down to the wire. Eventually, India emerged victorious by six runs in the last over to take the series 2-1.
Thiruvananthapuram was hosting an international cricket match after a gap of 29 long years.
The T20 was played at the new Greenfield stadium, which can be used for playing football matches as well. Two years back, the stadium had hosted the final of the South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Championships where India had beaten Afghanistan to win the title.
However, it was back in 1988 that the city had its first brush with international cricket. The West Indians led by Viv Richards took the field against the Indians marshalled by Ravi Shastri in a one day international (ODI), played at the University stadium.
India scored 239 in their allotted 45 overs which was overhauled comfortably by the opposition. The West Indians won by 9 wickets, riding on Gordon Greenidge’s 84 studded with five sixes, as well as a century from Phil Simmons.
This was in fact the last ODI of the series, which the West Indies went on to win 6-1.
Four years earlier though, the city had been declared as the venue for its first ever one-day international. The match was played between India and Australia on October 1, 1984 at the University stadium.
India were led by Sunil Gavaskar and Australia by Kim Hughes.
In the 37-over match, India were bowled out for 175. The ‘Colonel’, Dilip Vengsarkar top-scored for the hosts with 77 runs. Carl Rackemann and Tom Hogan shared the spoils for the visitors, snaring 7 wickets between them.
Australia were 29/1 in the eighth over when the skies opened up and the match was subsequently called off.