The Royal Challengers Bengaluru-Punjab Kings Indian Premier League game played at the Chinnaswamy got delayed by more than two hours due to persistent drizzle. However, once the rain stopped, within 25-30 minutes, the toss event took place. So, how were the groundsmen able to clear the water and moisture in quick time? The answer to that question is the SubAir System.
The state-of-the-art drainage system came into existence, at the Chinnaswamy, in 2017. The drainage system utilises a 200-horsepower machine to suction 10,000 litres of water/moisture per minute. It is also believed that the subsurface drainage system can evacuate water from the stadium 36 times quicker “than gravity drainage”.
So, how does it work? “The SubAir system uses a network of pipes and perforated tubes installed beneath the playing surface to manage water and air circulation,” as per SubAir System.
On a side note, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCA) also uses the Subair system. It is also employed by football and golf stadiums.