For generations of Baroda cricketers, Motibaug was more than just another cricket ground. It was where careers began, and the city’s cricketing identity took shape.
On Saturday, that legacy was confronted with perhaps its biggest challenge yet.
During the third meeting of the Baroda Cricket Association (BCA)’s caretaker body, the committee reviewed expenditure on all affiliated grounds against their usage for matches and practice. According to the minutes of the meeting, it was found that the expenses on Motibaug were “disproportionately high” compared to other venues.
The committee also took note of what it described as the ‘denial of entry to BCA staff and curators at the Motibaug ground over the past few days’, a development that appears to have triggered a sharp administrative response.
The BCA secretary has now been asked to formally communicate two major decisions to the Motibaug Club: first, the discontinuation of the club’s affiliation with the BCA and, consequently, its participation in BCA tournaments across all formats; and second, to ensure cooperation for the immediate removal of all BCA-owned machinery and equipment from the venue.
If implemented, the decision could effectively bring down the curtain on one of Indian cricket’s most storied venues.
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“During the meeting, there were discussions about how we were not being able to make maximum use of the ground despite bearing significantly higher costs as part of the MoU,” Ajit Lele, a member of the caretaker body, told Sportstar.
However, Lele, who was earlier the secretary of the association, said, “As far as the BCA is concerned, the doors are open for any conversation regarding the matter. . .”
No statements were available from the Motibaug Cricket Club at the time of publishing the story.
Long before the Kotambi Stadium and Reliance Stadiums hosted matches, Motibaug was Baroda cricket’s heartbeat. The ground has hosted first-class matches for decades and has witnessed the rise of some of the state’s finest cricketers, from the Gaekwads to the Pathans and several others who went on to represent India.
Its old-world charm, modest stands and intimate setting made it a favourite among cricket romantics. While the spotlight gradually shifted to newer facilities in Vadodara, Motibaug remained woven into the city’s cricketing fabric, continuing to stage domestic matches and nurture young talent.
Whether this marks a temporary standoff or the final chapter in Motibaug’s association with the BCA remains to be seen.
Published on Aug 01, 2026
