Hailakandi, Aug. 6: The first time Satindra Mohan Dev Stadium in Silchar hosted a Ranji Trophy match was in 1987. It was also its last.

Now, 20 years later, the stadium will host another Ranji Trophy match and officials of the District Sports Association want to make sure all goes well to cap its golden jubilee celebrations.

The stadium has been named the venue for the Assam-Kerala Ranji Trophy match scheduled for November 23 to 26.

With over three months in hand, the association has started preparations to ensure that the match is conducted smoothly. A Ranji match at the Silchar venue assumes significance as the association is vying for a place for the stadium in the international arena.

Bhel has already sanctioned Rs 3 crore to install floodlights at the stadium to host official ODIs in Silchar. The stadium is poised to be the second venue for international cricket in the state after Guwahati’s Nehru Stadium.

The DSA has organised Deodhar Trophy, Duleep Trophy and Cooch Behar Trophy (under-19) matches. The stadium was also the venue for an India-England women’s One Day International a couple of years ago, the Bhel Cup between Abul Quadir XI and Kapil Dev XI and the Sunil Walson and Ashoke Malhotra benefit match.

A DSA official said the stadium would get a facelift in the next three months.

Association secretary Babul Hore said it was a wise decision on the part of Assam Cricket Association and the BCCI to select Silchar as one of the venues for the Ranji Trophy tournament. He said local cricketers would get an opportunity to learn from first class matches such as these.

Assam will host four of their five Plate Group A matches at home in the season ahead. Two ties will be held at Nehru Stadium and the first home match of the season will be played at NF Railway Stadium.

Assam will start their campaign against Gujarat in Ahmedabad from November 4 to 7.