Arshid Farooq

Srinagar, Nov 03 (KINS): Once envisioned as the crown jewel of football infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, the Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar is now witnessing a shift in purpose — from football to cricket — sparking criticism from sports enthusiasts.

Renovation of the historic stadium began in 2016 and was completed in 2022 at a cost of over Rs 50 crore. The upgraded facility was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on August 5, 2022, and dedicated to the youth of J&K with the promise that it would host major football tournaments. However, since last year, the stadium has been used for cricket events instead.

In 2024, the venue hosted the Legends Cricket League, and this year, several matches of the Indian Heaven Premier League (IHPL) featuring international cri

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