The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government changed the name of the Ekana International Cricket Stadium to “Bharat Ratan Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium” on Monday.

The Uttar Pradesh (UP) government changed the name of the Ekana International Cricket Stadium to “Bharat Ratan Atal Bihari Vajpayee International Cricket Stadium” on Monday.

The move comes ahead of the first-ever international cricket match that is set to take place in the state capital – the second T20 International of the three-match series between India and West Indies on Tuesday.

UP Governor Ram Naik was the one who approved the government proposal to this effect. Orders for the same were issued by Principal Secretary (Housing) Nitin Ramesh Gokaran on Monday.

Officials of the Lucknow Development Authority (LDA) informed that the clause 17.5.1 of the agreement between Ekana Sports City Private Ltd, GC Constructions and Development Industries Pvt Ltd and the LDA says that the stadium will be named after the project is completed.

The state government used the powers vested in it as per this clause, on the eve of the high-decibel match, and changed its name in the memory of Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who passed away in August this year.

Meanwhile, both cricket teams arrived in the city on Monday to a rousing welcome. The cricket mania has completely overtaken the Diwali festivities in the city and everyone seems to be scurrying for passes as the online tickets have been sold out.

From ministers to bureaucrat sons, police officials, everyone worth their name on Monday evening was hunting for possibilities to see the match at the stadium which was built under the watch of Samajwadi Party (SP) chief and former Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav during his tenure.

India currently lead the series 1-0.

(With IANS inputs)