In India, cricket is more than simply a sport; it is a passion that unites the country. Cricket stadiums in India are more than just locations for games; they are historical landmarks with ardent followings.
We’ll take you on a virtual tour of the top ten cricket stadiums in India in this blog, outlining their significance, history, and the best ways to experience them as a fan of cricket and a foodie. No matter how big or small, oval or circular, lush or desert, each of these locations offered a special atmosphere where the game might thrive.
1. Narendra Modi Stadium
Formerly known as Sardar Patel Stadium or Motera Stadium, Narendra Modi Stadium has undergone renovations and a name change to become the largest cricket stadium in the world, surpassing the MCG in size.
It has a lengthy history of emerging musicians and top-charting records and can hold up to 132,000 spectators. The stadium was constructed in 1982 with the goal of enhancing the province’s cricket.
Both the 10,000th run by Sunil Gavaskar and the 432nd test wicket by Kapil Dev, which broke Richard Hadlee’s record, occurred on these grounds. The most recent era of renovation and reconstruction for these facilities will extend for an additional five years, from 2015 to 2020. Cricket lovers all across the world are expecting that soon there will be more matches played at one of India’s premier venues.
2. Eden Gardens
Cricket fans revere Eden Gardens as the jewel in the crown of Indian cricket. The stadium has seen India’s tremendous growth of cricket since the country’s first test match there in 1934.
Cricket fans from all over the world are in awe of Eden Gardens. Prior to recent victories against Australia and Pakistan by players like Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble, India’s cricket team hadn’t had the best of luck. On this ground, there has been more than its fair share of conflict and drama.
3. Wankhede Stadium
This one will always hold a special place in the hearts of Indian cricket fans. The Wankhede Stadium was built as a result of a disagreement between the Bombay Cricket Association (BCA) and the Cricket Council of India (CCI), which prevented the BCA from using the Brabourne Stadium. It was the third stadium to be built in the nation’s “cricket capital.” It has a capacity of 45,000 spectators.
Vinod Kambli’s 224 against England, the highest individual score by an Indian there, and Ravi Shastri’s six sixes are just a couple of the remarkable moments and milestones that took place at Wankhede.
Because it was the team’s eagerly anticipated return to the competition after a 28-year hiatus, the 2011 ODI World Cup triumph, captained by MS Dhoni, is notable. The final-ball analysis by Ravi Shastri in the championship match still casts a long shadow over the arena.
Spinners are said to thrive in the area’s red soil and close proximity to the water. This venue has become a favorite among cricket fans from all over the world due to the unpredictability of the pitch and the winds, as well as the lively atmosphere that Mumbai fans bring to the game.
4. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
India’s cricketers have benefited greatly from the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, which is home to one of the league’s most well-liked clubs.
Since 1969, when it was still known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium, the venue has hosted cricket matches. It changed to a test match in 1974–1975, the same year that one of the greatest hitters of all time, Viv Richards, made his debut.
It has a capacity of 40,000 spectators and has witnessed some genuinely momentous games in its more than 50 years of use. The BCCI has been under fire for the poorly maintained stands in the stadium ever since the most recent India vs. South Africa match was postponed there and leaky roofing over the stands were discovered and reported by supporters.
5. Arun Jaitley Stadium
This cricketing mecca in Delhi, once known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, has seen the rise and fall of numerous potential future stars of the Indian national team. It is without a doubt one of the best stadiums in India given its lengthy relationship with the sport and the meticulousness with which the field and grounds are cared for by the stadium’s devoted grounds workers. With its 1883 opening, it was also one of the first cricket stadiums on the Indian subcontinent.
Anil Kumble’s 10-wicket blitz is only one of the historic events that took place on these illustrious fields. Here, several veterans made their test debuts, notably S. Venkataraghavan, who compiled amazing stats like 8-72 and 4-80.
For instance, Bedi and Prasanna both scored hundreds at the Kotla, with the latter’s 18 wickets playing a significant role in India’s historic triumph against Australia. The stadium’s survival, however, is in doubt after an ODI between Sri Lanka and India in 2019 had to be postponed because of an insecure pitch. This reality does not, however, diminish the importance or relevance of these venues, which have seen the steady development of Indian cricket for almost 150 years.
6. MA Chidambaram Stadium
Since it has been in use for almost a century, the MA Chidambaram Stadium has served as the Madras Presidency’s spiritual home of cricket.
Chepauk’s first test match was played there in 1933–1934 after it was built in 1916. In 1951–1952, India won a test match against England here for the first time, winning by 8 runs with an innings to spare. Sunil Gavaskar scored his 30th test century at this location. With a capacity of up to 38,000 people, Chepauk has hosted some of the best cricket matches played by national and regional teams over the years.
7. Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium
The Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium was constructed to ensure that cricket players in Hyderabad had a decent ground for matches and practice.
Its construction was required by the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium’s restrictions. It has been bogged down in politics at the state level and inside the Cricket Association, and there has been more scandal around it than is fair.
Despite not having yet hosted a large match, the location has all the modern amenities needed to conduct a successful international championship.
8. HPCA Stadium Dharamshala
The picturesque HPCA Stadium, which has 23,000 seats and is situated between Dharamshala’s snow-covered peaks, is situated there. It is regarded as one of the calmest locations to play host to a match because of its roomy stands and unhindered views of the nearby hills.
This stadium, which stands 1317 meters above sea level, is one of India’s tallest. The stadium managed by the HPCA is one of the few venues in the nation where female cricket players can live.
The Dharamshala stadium is now more well-known and admired as a result of the IPL. One of India’s finest cricket stadiums, its setting, maintenance, and amenities offer it a chance to become a worldwide player and fan favorite.
9. Mohali Cricket Stadium Punjab
The Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, India offers cutting-edge practice areas and a field fit for the finest teams in the world. One of the most well-known and iconic stadiums in the country was built in 1992 on what was originally swampland.
The IS Bindra Stadium’s floodlights were dimmed to a low setting to prevent collisions with aircraft taking off or landing at the nearby airport. Many future players of the national team have played in the 26,000-seat stadium.
This used to be one of the most notable locations due to the wonderful contribution it made to pace, but that is no longer the case, especially in light of recent repairs.
One of the historic games played on these grounds was the 2011 World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan, which the Prime Ministers of both nations attended. The IS Bindra Stadium, one of the best in India for cricket, will probably soon begin holding more matches.
10. Naya Raipur International Stadium
In India, the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Naya Raipur is one of the newest and most modern stadiums.
Being the team’s backup home stadium, it hosted two of Delhi’s 2011 Indian Premier League games but has yet to host a meaningful international cricket match despite being open since the early 2000s.
It looks like a blast to attend this stadium, which can accommodate up to 49,000 spectators, for important international sporting events.
India is considered to be the “second home” of cricket since it has done more than any other nation to encourage and enable the sport. The best cricket grounds in India honor the game and offer a wealth of amenities for it to develop and flourish, even though they haven’t hosted any especially memorable matches.
Read More :
Mandaragiri Hill: A quick weekend getaway from Bangalore
Top 5 Best Places to Visit in Shivamogga