Cricket fans were left disappointed as the ongoing first Test between India and the West Indies at the giant Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad witnessed thousands of empty seats on the opening day on Thursday, October 2.
The Indian bowlers were in full song despite having a couple of days’ break after winning the Asia Cup 2025, but the lack of crowd energy caught everyone’s attention. Many fans believe that selecting Ahmedabad for the India-West Indies Test was a mistake, questioning why such a huge stadium was chosen for a lower-ranked opposition in the longest format of the game.
Empty stands overshadow India-West Indies Test at Narendra Modi Stadium
The sea of empty chairs made the action look dull despite the on-field action. The debate over fixed red-ball venues in India has resurfaced, with the fans pointing out that cities like Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi have a stronger Test culture and consistently attract larger crowds.
These venues also offer better tourism appeal and easier connectivity for travelling fans. One fan posted, X: “If we had to play a lower-tier team, we should have ideally played them in a stadium that people want to watch Test cricket in. Virat’s suggestion of having fixed test venues should be looked at.
Ahmedabad has the country’s biggest stadium, and to host a lower-tier team at such a big ground makes it look empty. Ahmedabad is good for T20 marquee contests, not for Tests-even against a marquee team. Tests should be played with a view of tourism and ease of connectivity. Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur, Delhi, Dharamsala, and Vizag can be your fixed test centers.”
BCCI’s policy of rotating venues across the country was meant to give every state a fair share of international games, but many argue that Test cricket, which relies heavily on crowd involvement and atmosphere, should be restricted to selected cities that embrace the traditional format of the game.
Virat Kohli’s vision for fixed Test venues back in the spotlight
Interestingly, the former Indian captain Virat Kohli had suggested as far back as 2019 that India should stick to five dedicated venues for Test matches to maintain consistency in conditions and fan support. The latest scenes in Ahmedabad have added weight to Kohli’s demand, as the Indian cricket fans call for a rethink in how Test matches are scheduled in India.
Kohli had stated, “We should have five test centers, period. I agree state associations and rotation and giving games and all that is fine for T20 and one-day cricket, but Test cricket teams coming to India should know, ‘We’re going to play at these five centers, these are the pitches we’re going to expect, and these are the kinds of people that will come to watch.'”
Shubman Gill captains India at home for the first time
Notably, India began a fresh chapter on Thursday, as Shubman Gill is captaining the Test team at home for the very first time. However, Gill lost the toss this time as well.
The opening Test against the West Indies was special for another reason as it was the first home Test in 15 years without Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and Ravichandran Ashwin.