Thaindian News

Hyderabad, Oct 14 (IANS) Can ‘Vastu’ be responsible for India remaining winless at the Rajiv Gandhi international stadium here? A section of officials of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) believes so and they have even sought divine intervention to put an end to the string of losses for the home team.

From swapping dressing rooms and performing ‘puja’ to now installing idols, the stadium officials are doing everything to break the ‘jinx’.

As India take on England in the first of the five-match ODI series Friday, the HCA officials have installed an idol of ‘Bal Ganesh’ in front of the main entrance to the stadium in the hope that this would change the fortunes of the hosts, who have never won a match here.

India lost all the three ODIs played here so far and drew the only test played here against New Zealand in November last year.

For many the stadium is jinxed as Deccan Chargers, the home team in Indian Premier League (IPL), lost as many as 14 matches here despite the marquee names in its ranks.

India lost the first match played at this ground against South Africa by five wickets Nov 16, 2005. The home team lost to Australia in the second and third matches played in 2007 and 2009.

The HCA, which feels that the ‘Vastu’ of the stadium is not right, installed the idol of ‘Bal Ganesh’ with the hope that lady luck will smile on the home side.

“I think they have already swapped the dressing rooms,” said Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni at a press conference when he was asked about India’s record at the venue.

“I am not sure. I don’t know where we were the last time.

“We play throughout the year and this is not something we should remember. We will try our best. Let us hope that this will be the first win for the Hyderabad venue.”