Budding cricketers in Thane have nowhere to play, as the popular Dadoji Konddev stadium has been shut since the monsoon. However, in an irony of sorts, the stadium was rented out for an ad film shoot featuring India cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni on Wednesday.

According to coaches of clubs that use the stadium, practice at the ground has stopped since the monsoon began and players have not been allowed to make use of the facility even now, despite the rains having receded more than a month ago. Coaches and players said the ground is being primarily used as a venue for gatherings like award functions and music concerts. This is shameful, considering that young players, all aspiring Dhonis perhaps, have nowhere to go and practice. Cricket maidans are full after monsoon, as the season starts in earnest. The monsoon lay off may have made players rusty, and the coaches are eager to get their wards back into the swing of things. It is also high season for cricket, and there are numerous tournaments at the local and school level.