Cricket is one of the most popular sports in the world. Just as cricket is popular in India, there are some famous cricket stadiums in India. Today, we are going to review the most popular cricket stadiums in India.
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is also known as Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium. The stadium authority hired Hopkins Architects in 2007 to design a 57,000-seat stadium in Pune, 170km to the southeast of Mumbai and 800m above sea level. In addition to enjoying dramatic 360-degree views of mountain ranges, the site is located near the Pune-Mumbai Expressway just outside of Pune. The stadium, which covers 35 acres, was first completed in November 2010. However, it did not open until 2012. Because of this, the stadium couldn’t host ICC Cricket World Cup matches during that time.
Ahmedabad Cricket Stadium
Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is built along the Sabarmati River. The stadium was formerly known as the Sardar Patel Stadium. It is the largest stadium on the Earth, with a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators. It was established in 1983.
The Gujarat government donated 50 acres of land to make this stadium. India and West Indies played their first Test match here on November 12, 1983. The ground was renovated at the time of the 2006 Champions Trophy.
The stadium was renamed the Narendra Modi Stadium to honour the current Indian Prime Minister in February 2021. It has also hosted the first pink-ball Test match between India and England in the same year.
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium is situated in the Himalayan mountain ranges and is known as the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium. In 2003, the stadium was constructed and established. The ground of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association can accommodate about 23,000 people. At an altitude of 1,457 meters above sea level, it is among the highest and most beautiful sports grounds in the world, located in the Kangra valley. The Cricket Stadium in Himachal Pradesh is run by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA). The stadium serves as a practising ground for the Indian Cricket team, the state-level team, and the IPL team, Punjab Kings.
Lucknow Cricket Stadium
Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana International Cricket Stadium, previously named Ekana international cricket stadium, was established in 2017 with a capacity of 50,000, which ranks among the best cricket stadiums in the country. It is also known as Lucknow Cricket Stadium. Featuring world-class facilities, this stadium covers 71 acres. With two screens measuring 1800 square feet each, you can watch the game from any corner.
There are also 40 VIP boxes as well as eight corporate lounges. Moreover, the Lucknow Stadium has a decent dressing room, media centre, and floodlights of the highest quality. A world-class drainage system covers all nine pitches in this magnificent stadium.
Jaipur Cricket Stadium
Sawai Mansingh Stadium was built in 1969 by the Rajasthan State Sports Council. It is near Ambedkar Circle Janpath, Jaipur, Rajasthan and can hold up to 30,000 spectators.
Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, also known as SMS, built the SMS Stadium under his reign. With ODI matches against India and Pakistan in 1983 and 1984, Jaipur made its international debut. It also hosted two World Cups in 1987 and 1996. A one-day international was played on the ground in October 2013 between India and Australia.
In 1987, India and Pakistan played their first test match at this stadium. Both countries’ Presidents watched the game together. The Test was part of a program called “Cricket for Peace.”
Kanpur Cricket Stadium
Green Park cricket stadium of Kanpur has a seating capacity of 32,000 people. It is known as the home ground of the Uttar Pradesh cricket team. The stadium is named after the women who practised horse riding in the stadium in the 1940s.
Though the stadium made its debut in 1945, it featured the first test match in 1952. By this international match, it achieved its international standard.
Delhi Cricket Stadium
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi is an international cricket ground. Originally known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, it was established in 1883 near the Kotla Fort, making it the second-oldest facility still in operation in India, after Eden Gardens in Kolkata. On 12 September 2019, the stadium was renamed in memory of the former Finance Minister of India and former DDCA President Arun Jaitley. The first Test match at this venue was played on 10 November 1948 when India took on the West Indies. The stadium has a seating capacity of 55,000 people.
Ranchi Cricket Stadium
The Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium is an international cricket stadium in Ranchi, India. The Ranchi Stadium made its debut in January 2013. However, the first ODI was played on 19 January 2013 between India and England. As of 19 November 2021, it has hosted 2 Tests, 5 ODIs, and 3 T20Is. The stadium can accommodate 50,000 people.
Mumbai Cricket Stadium
The Mumbai Stadium is also known as Wankhede Stadium. After renovations for the 2011 Cricket World Cup, the stadium has a capacity of 33,108. Previously, it held about 45,000 spectators. The stadium has hosted several high-profile cricket matches, including the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final, where India defeated Sri Lanka and became the first country to win the Cricket World Cup on its home soil. Sachin Tendulkar played his final international match at the stadium. In addition, the Mumbai Cricket Stadium hosted many games during the 1996 and 2011 Cricket World Cups in India.