Kerala Electricy Board cuts down on electricity supply to Greenfield Stadium ahead of 1st T20 of IND-SA series

India is scheduled to play two three-match T20I series against Australia and South Africa, respectively, ahead of the T20 World Cup. The series with Australia will begin on September 20 in Mohali, while the series against South Africa will start on September 28 at Greenfield Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.

However, as per the latest reports, the State Electricity Board of Kerala has cut off the electricity supply to the Greenfield Stadium, which is supposed to host the first game of the three-match T20I series between India and South Africa on September 28.

This strict action was taken after the stadium association was not able to pay the electricity bill of a whopping amount of INR 2.5 crore. The Water Authority of Kerala State has also issued a warning to cut off the supply if the water dues are not paid.

As per the report by the New Indian Express, it is learnt that the maintenance and preparation work at the stadium has been done with the help of a generator for the last five days. It could turn out to be a sports spoiler for the first game between India and South Africa.

A government official told The New Indian Express, "It is the Kerala  Sports Facility Ltd (KSFL) that is responsible for operating the Greenfield Stadium that has not paid the power and water bill dues over the past three years. The KSFL’s view is that they are unable to pay the dues without the state government’s annual annuity fund."

The meeting regarding the review of the security checks and arrangements for the first T20I on September 28 was organised without any electricity at the stadium. As per another report by The News Minute, the Cricket Association of Kerala has shown their concerns over all this, but they are hoping it will get resolved as soon as possible.

It's expected that 50,000 spectators will watch the game. In the meantime, the Chandigarh Police has asked the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) to settle its debt of Rs 5 crore it owes for security arrangements provided for previous matches before the first T20I between India and Australia in Mohali.