While several sports are played and loved widely in India, the passion for cricket is overwhelming. India boasts 52 international cricket grounds, the most by any nation, for this reason.
Many cricket grounds, from Eden Gardens to Motera Stadium, have been renovated and expanded throughout time to suit an increasing number of sports fans. Because of its size, India now possesses some of the largest cricket venues in the world. The largest stadiums in India are listed below:
Biggest Cricket Stadiums in India
1. Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad)
This stadium was formerly known as Motera Stadium and Sardar Patel Stadium. It is the largest cricket venue in the world overtaking Melbourne Cricket Stadium. The stadium holds a capacity of 1.32 lakh spectators at a time.
The Narendra Modi Stadium is one of the top cricket stadiums in the world thanks to its cutting-edge amenities. Its distinctive design has a spherical canopy that surrounds every stand and offers shade to players and spectators.
The stadium also contains 76 corporate boxes, four changing rooms, and space for up to 3,000 vehicles to park. 180 meters long and 150 meters broad, the stadium’s playing area features a 360-degree LED scoreboard that shows real-time results, replays, and commercials.
The stadium also houses a cricket museum that chronicles the accomplishments of illustrious cricketers as well as the history of Indian cricket. Additionally, the museum features a library with more than 2,000 cricket-related books and periodicals. The stadium’s indoor cricket academy, where young cricket hopefuls may learn with qualified trainers and enhance their abilities, is another distinctive feature.
2. Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
The oldest and second-largest cricket venue in India, Eden Gardens in Kolkata, was founded in 1864 and has a seating capacity of 68,000. The stadium had a 40,000-person capacity before it was restored and enlarged in 1987.
Over the years, Eden Gardens has had a number of renovations, with the most recent one ending in 2020. The stadium now has top-notch amenities, making it among the best cricket stadiums in the world. There are four stands, including the renowned B.C. Roy Clubhouse with a 360-degree view of the stadium. The stadium also boasts a modern scoreboard, floodlights, and a media center with space for up to 80 journalists.
3. Naya Raipur International Cricket Stadium (Raipur)
The Naya Raipur International Cricket Stadium in Chhattisgarh is the third-largest cricket stadium in India and the fourth-largest stadium in the world, with seating for 65,400 spectators. In honour of Veer Narayan Singh Binjhwar, a landowner from Sonakhan who led the Indian independence war in Chhattisgarh in 1857, the stadium was opened in 2008 and is also known as the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium.
4. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium (Hyderabad)
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, which has 16 acres of space, can accommodate about 55,000 spectators at once. The stadium was built by Visaka Industries Limited in 2003. The Pavillion End and the North End, also known as the VVS Laxman End, are its two ends.
The wicket here, however, has a reputation for being a batsman-friendly and high-scoring pitch because it is a flat track. As a result, it is rarely taken into account for important matches in India.
5. Greenfield International Stadium (Thiruvananthapuram)
The Greenfield International Stadium, formerly known as Trivandrum International Stadium, is a multi-use facility that holds football and cricket events. In the Keralan city of Thiruvananthapuram, the stadium is located. It is India’s first Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DBOT) outdoor stadium and was built on 36 acres of land. At one time, it can hold about 55,000 people.
Did You Know: The Noida Authority has been preparing to build a stadium in the city for more than 20 years. Additionally, the Noida-Greater Noida Expressway’s Sector 150 will soon be home to the first international cricket stadium in Noida, thanks to recent approval from the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA). It will be the fifth international-level cricket stadium in the State if it is built in accordance with the requirements and recommendations of the ICC and BCCI. The proposed venue would be built out over 38 acres and provide room for 40,000 spectators.
6. Ekana Cricket Stadium (Lucknow)
The Ekana Cricket Stadium, built in 2017, has been renamed Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium to commemorate the former Prime Minister of India. Currently, with a capacity of 50,000, it is India’s sixth-largest international cricket venue in terms of capacity.
7. JSCA International Cricket Stadium (Ranchi)
The Jharkhand State Cricket Association’s International Cricket Stadium is located in Ranchi and contains 76 corporate boxes. At one time, it can accommodate about 50,000 people. Additionally, the surrounding East and West hills provide excellent views of the stadium for fans. The only stadium in the nation with hills on both sides is JSCA.
8. Barabati Stadium (Cuttack)
The home field for the Odisha Cricket team is Barabati Stadium in Cuttack, which is owned and run by the Odisha Cricket Association. It opened in 1958 and could accommodate 45,000 people. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the West Indies, and the Australians were among the touring teams that played there before it held its first international game in 1982. It is also one of the oldest cricket venues in India.
9. Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium (Nagpur)
The Vidarbha Cricket Association’s ground in Nagpur has the greatest playing area of any cricket ground in India. The ground accomplishes this feat thanks to its 85-yard square limits and 80-yard straight bounds. The stadium, which can hold 45,000 spectators, was opened in 2013.
10. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium / Chepauk Stadium (Chennai)
Chepauk Arena, commonly known as M A Chidambaram Stadium, is the nation’s second-oldest cricket arena. It was founded in 1916 and can accommodate 33,500 people. Chepauk Stadium in Chennai now has new stands and a cutting-edge pavilion. Plastics are not allowed inside the stadium due to improved infrastructure. It is advised to use cloth bags and banners. There are green and blue trash cans for dry and wet garbage disposal both inside and outside the stadium.
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