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It’s a classic example of a one-stop cricket ecosystem, where everything operates under one roof and functions seamlessly at the same time. On Sunday, the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati was buzzing with activity at every corner. While the auction for the state T20 league was underway, the Ranji Trophy team was engaged in a practice match, the Under-23 squad was simultaneously going through its training session, and Level 3 coach Satrajit Lahiri was conducting classes for Assam’s aspiring coaches.
It was cricket in its purest form.
For BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia, who represents Assam at the board, it must have been a proud moment. Seated inside the clubhouse, he watched the auction unfold on a national broadcast sports channel. Despite being entitled to walk into the auction room at any time, Saikia consciously stayed away while the cameras were rolling. He eventually stepped in only towards the end of the day to greet the champion host and auctioneer, Charu Sharma.
That, in many ways, sums up Assam cricket’s philosophy — cricket comes first, everything else follows. “Our Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has played a huge role in making Assam what it is today,” Saikia told CricBlogger on Sunday.
One of the rare sights in Indian cricket was on display in Guwahati. Assam’s senior team coach, Kiran Powar, and Under-23 coach Sukhvinder Singh were seen sharing a meal and sipping tea after their respective sessions, yet not a single word was exchanged about the day’s auction. Their conversation remained firmly rooted in cricket — technique, tactics and the finer nuances of the game.
Here, no one breaches the brief — not even BCCI secretary Saikia.
With world-class facilities already in place and more accommodation being added, Saikia is steadily fine-tuning the infrastructure and transforming Assam into a genuine cricket destination.
Even the smallest details reflected thoughtful planning. Keeping in mind that many of the team owners are Marwaris, the entire menu at the auction was strictly vegetarian. In a state where non-vegetarian cuisine is an integral part of the local culture, the organisers ensured that the sentiments and preferences of the franchise owners were equally respected. It’s this attention to detail that sets Assam cricket apart.
Even a walk around the stadium leaves a lasting impression. The one thing that is impossible to miss is the spotless cleanliness. A dedicated housekeeping team works round the clock to ensure every corner of the facility remains immaculate. Maintaining a stadium of this scale is no easy task—it’s almost like looking after a white elephant—but there are no complaints.
Assam is always ready to host cricket at short notice and has built an ecosystem that truly serves the cause of the game. Every detail, from infrastructure to maintenance, reflects a long-term vision of making cricket flourish.
