It’s common for people to seek divine intervention when the chips are down, and sport is no different.

Indeed, an international cricket stadium houses a temple inside the premises “to ensure that the home team doesn’t lose.”

Going to the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Uppal, in suburban Hyderabad, is a mini-pilgrimage as you are greeted by a temple for Lord Ganesha.

Asked about the story behind the temple, priest Hanumanth Sharma claimed that it was built in 2011 as “neither the Indian team nor the now-defunct IPL franchise Deccan Chargers was winning any match at this ground.” “It was proving to be inauspicious for the home team. Then it was found out that there was ‘Vaastu Dosham’ (problem in the building design, as per ancient Hindu architectural system),” he said. “Lord Ganesha is the God of Vaastu Shastra. You can check the records and after 2011, the Indian team never lost here,” Hanumanth said.

Statistics show India first played an international match at this venue in 2005. It was an ODI against South Africa India they lost by five wickets.

Emphatic victories

The first Test at this in 2010 against New Zealand ended in a draw after which the temple came up. The hosts registered emphatic victories in the next three games here.

The script is unlikely to change in the ongoing Test against West Indies, considering the way the visitors are playing.

Ask Hanumanth if top Indian players have prayed here, his grin widening, he says: Dhoni has come here, to seek the blessings of Lord Ganesha after practice sessions.”

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