Innovation on Ferozeshah Kotla field to keep the ground dry

From locally made tube wells to scooters running on LPG gas, India is the land of innovations.

So when one of Ferozeshah Kotla stadium’s Super Soppers— which suck water from the cricket field— conked off, a Delhi mechanic replaced its engine with that of a Maruti car! When almost everyone at the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) had given up, one official decided to consult this mechanic. And, wonder of wonders, he made the machine work again.

“ We had to pay about Rs. 60,000 for the repair. But that was money well spent because it is better to have a working Super Sopper than not having one at all. And for two years, it has been running fine,” the official said. In spite of the wear and tear, the imported Super Sopper continues to be loyal.

“ Sometimes we have to tighten its nuts and bolts or change the pipe that drains the sucked water, but that is only expected with an ageing machine. Its outer body has become weak and makes more noise, but it continues to work well,” he pointed out.

“ Since its speed has slowed down, we use it only along the boundary rope as this way it has to move in one direction. In the inner field, where the Super Soppers have to move in all directions and that too quickly, we use the two new ones. We are quite satisfied with them.

Overall, DDCA has all the equipment meant for the upkeep of the ground.”