It has been over a year since Rinku Singh’s towering six shattered the press box’s glass window at St George’s Park during the second T20 International against South Africa in December 2023. The damaged glass, located in the Graeme Pollock Pavilion, remains unrepaired, standing as a testament to the Indian cricketer’s remarkable innings of 68 off 39 balls, despite India’s loss.
The iconic hit, which drew admiration from former South African pacer Dale Steyn as a “great shot,” has since weathered storms, including an August tempest that partially destroyed the stadium roof. Despite its cracked state, the glass has neither crumbled nor caused harm, prompting ground management to defer repairs due to logistical challenges and budgetary constraints.
Logistical Hurdles and Budgetary Challenges
Replacing the damaged glass presents significant challenges. According to a ground management official, repairs would require hoisting workers on a crane to access the specific height of the press box. However, financial limitations have prioritized more pressing maintenance issues, such as combating corrosion of metallic pillars and repairing the storm-damaged roof, which cost 400,000 rands.
“The glass hasn’t harmed anyone so far and doesn’t look like it will,” the official explained. “Maybe we can get it autographed by Rinku whenever he comes over here next.”
A Missed Opportunity
India’s visit to South Africa in November last year offered a chance to secure Rinku’s autograph on the cracked glass, but the opportunity was missed. The ground management remains hopeful for a future encounter, though India is not scheduled to tour South Africa in the near future.
Custodians of Heritage
The stadium, owned by the local municipality, relies on its management staff to act as custodians, focusing on maintaining the venue’s structural integrity and ensuring public satisfaction with their efforts. The official emphasized, “The public must feel that those in charge are doing a good job.”
While the cracked glass serves as a quirky reminder of Rinku’s heroics, the management’s priorities lie in addressing more urgent needs to preserve the historic venue. For now, the damaged pane stands as an enduring symbol of an unforgettable cricketing moment.V
