Pune will host 5 matches of ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. If you are travelling to the city for cricket, here’s a quick look at must-see/eat/do.
Often referred to as ‘Oxford of the East’ and always making it to the ‘Most Liveable Cities in India’ list, Pune is one of country’s largest IT and automobile and manufacturing hubs. The earliest reference to Pune is an inscription dated 937 CE, which refers to the town as Punya-Vishaya, meaning ‘sacred news’. The name was anglicised to Poona in 1857 and changed to Pune in 1978. If you are heading to Pune for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, here’s a quick look at the must-see/do/eat/shop in the city.
Match Fixtures:
October 19: India vs Bangladesh, 2 pm
October 30: Afghanistan vs Sri Lanka, 2 pm
November 1: New Zealand vs South Africa, 2 pm
November 8: England vs Netherlands, 2 pm
November 11: Australia vs Bangladesh, 10:30 am
Stadium: MCA International Stadium. Capacity: 42,700
Know the Stadium: Inaugurated in 2012, the MCA International Cricket Stadium is located on the outskirts of Pune at Gahunje and is popularly known as Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium. To avoid washouts, MCA has sand-based outfield. The first ever international fixture at the ground was a T20 International played between India and England in December 2012.
How to reach the stadium: Distance from Pune airport is nearly 24 kilometres. Nearest railway station is Pune Junction is 28 kms. It is within the close vicinity of the IT Hub of Hinjawadi, the auto hub of Chakan and the industrial belt of PCMC.
Pune has two Metro lines: Red and Blue. The nearest bus stop is Wadgaon, a 10-minute walk. Bus lines 374 and 374A stop near MCA. It is also just a 2-hour drive from Mumbai.
Average Temperature: In October, high of 29-32 and low of 20-25 degree Celsius. In November, high of 30-32 and low of 14-19 degree Celsius.
What to see: Shaniwar Wada. The Aga Khan Palace. Blades of Glory Cricket Museum. Kirkee War Cemetery. Parvati Hill. Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum. Lal Mahal. Khadakwasla Dam. Shivneri Fort. Day trips to Imagicaa Theme and Water Park, Dinosaur Park in Lonavala, Pawna Lake. Mahabaleshwar. Khandala. Do the Kalsubai Trek, Ratangad Trek. Jungle trekking and camping in Vasota Fort.
