Rajasthan invests in 70 2G Flicx Batting Ends to help cricket flourish

The Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) led by the President Mr. LALIT KUMAR MODI (Founder & Architect of INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE) aspires to embed cricket into the culture and passion of the people of Rajasthan and spread it to all 33 districts, no mean feat given it’s amongst the largest state in India and equivalent in size to the United Kingdom!

Prior to the purchase of 70 2G Flicx batting ends, across two orders in 2016, facilities across (17 to 20 Districts) Rajasthan were minimal and of poor quality, particularly in remote areas so talent was unable to be developed and nurtured. The RCA have now issued two Batting Ends, which can zip together at the middle and form a full 2G Flicx Match Pitch, to each districts to utilise to create a local hub of excellence. Of those 33 districts, over half did not have any existing turf facilities so typically only matting was used so now with the arrival of the 2G Flicx Pitches, players and coaches alike have a surface which feels much more authentic and genuine. In these developing areas, more participation is possible and the game is already started to significantly grow in popularity after just a couple of months of using 2G Flicx Pitches.

The President RCA Mr. Lalit Kumar Modi insisted that we have a look at the ICC Dubai Academy. So, RCA Treasurer Pawan Goyal along with RCA Secretary Sumendra Tiwari first spotted the 2G Flicx Pitches on a trip to the ICC Academy in Dubai; at the time they were rolled up on their ends being stored but Goyal immediately spoke to key figures at the ICC about how they use the product in their development programmes and saw a huge opportunity for the pitches to be used to support the objectives of the RCA in helping the game to flourish. Price was a key consideration for the RCA board and a 2G Flicx Pitch can typically be delivered for 1/3 of the cost of turf wickets in India but other important benefits for Goyal and his colleagues included…

• Zero maintenance costs
• Durability; Flicx pitches have a very long life span so no need to replace frequently
• All weather surface – can even be used if it’s raining
• The ability to roll them up after matches to store them safely
• To take cricket to places where it’s not possible to curate turf wickets

The 2G Flicx Pitches, all hand made in the UK, are each used on a daily basis for both adult and junior cricket. All the reports from RCA districts have been highly positive and everyone has found the wickets very comfortable for practice sessions in the nets (where they are split into Batting Ends) and also for matches where they are typically converting open areas into cricket fields. Already there are more people playing cricket and each location typically attracts up to 200 to 250 players per day. More importantly, competition is now possible and much more practical to administer with the state championship games taking place on a “level playing field”.

Goyal is confident that the 2G Flicx Pitch can play a big role in developing new cricket facilities across India be it in partnership with other State Cricket Associations, in districts or by schools looking to create new training zones.

“I see big potential for Flicx in India and other countries where new facilities need to be created in a cost effective way. We are really happy with how our pitches stationed across Rajasthan are performing and think there will be a huge appetite for this roll out concept, in other states too. We are happy to help more people play cricket on a surface which performs really well in subcontinent conditions and it really gives our young players the best possible start to their cricketing journeys”.