The Gabba, Brisbane’s beloved cricket fortress, is facing its final days. Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, dropped a bombshell on Tuesday at an event in Brisbane: after the 2032 Olympics, the Gabba will be torn down. A new stadium will rise in its place, built for the Olympic Games, shifting cricket and AFL to a fresh home.
This news marks a huge turn from the Gabba’s glory days, especially when we look back to 2021. That year, India’s stunning win broke Australia’s unbeatable streak at the Gabba, leading to the famous Hindi phrase, “Toota Hai Gabba Ka ghamand” (The Gabba’s pride is shattered). Now, in 2032, it’s not just the pride but the whole stadium will be torn down.
Let’s rewind to January 2021. The Gabba was a castle no visiting team could conquer. Australia hadn’t lost a Test there since 1988. Fans called it a fortress, and players feared its bounce and pace. Then came India, bruised from a low score of 36 in Adelaide, missing key players. Yet, on the last day, Rishabh Pant’s fearless 89 not out sealed a chase of 328. India won by three wickets, and the Gabba’s myth crumbled. “Toot Hai Gabba Ka ghamand” echoed across India, its pride was gone.
Fast forward to 2025, and Crisafulli’s announcement paints a different picture. By 2032, those walls won’t just lose their shine, they’ll be gone. The Gabba, which hosted its first Test in 1931 and the famous Tied Test in 1960, is nearing its end. “It hasn’t been well maintained,” Crisafulli said. Instead of pouring money into temporary fixes for the Olympics, he’s betting on a new stadium near Victoria Park. This isn’t just a repair job; it’s a full goodbye. In 2021, India broke the Gabba’s spirit. In 2032, bulldozers will break its body.
Back in 2021, the loss stung Australia. Cricket Australia (CA) still saw the Gabba as a key venue, scheduling games there until this year’s Ashes. But doubts were creeping in. Last year, CA’s seven-year plan left the Gabba’s future shaky after 2025. Now, with the Olympics on the horizon, the end is clear. CA supports the new stadium, saying it ensures “Brisbane hosts the very best cricket.” Queensland Cricket agrees. Chief executive Terry Svenson said, “The Gabba has given us countless memories, but we need to look to the future.”
The 2021 defeat was a crack in the Gabba’s armor. India’s win showed it wasn’t untouchable. Now, 2032 will erase it completely. Crisafulli sees a silver lining: cricket returns to the Olympics in 2028, and the Gabba might host a gold medal match in 2032 as its farewell. “Wouldn’t it be amazing to see Australia win gold at the Gabba’s swansong?” he asked. It’s a poetic twist— from India shattering its pride in 2021 to a possible Olympic triumph before it’s gone.
So, what’s the real story? In 2021, the Gabba lost its unbeatable tag. By 2032, it’ll lose everything else. India cracked its pride, and time will finish the job. Queensland’s sports future looks bright with a new home, but the Gabba’s fall, from fortress to rubble, feels like the end of an era.
The post Gabba’s Pride Fell in 2021, and by 2032 The Whole Stadium Will Follow appeared first on Sportzcraazy.
from Cricket News & Updates | Today Cricket Rankings | Latest Match Schedule https://ift.tt/WkUc5Oo
via IFTTT
0 Comments