Sports stadiums in India are receiving a lot of attention as sports infrastructure evolves. Sports infrastructure development is a critical component of any country’s sports environment.
The sports stadiums of any country show the level of attention that the country places on sports culture. India, in particular, boasts many world-class sports venues that hold numerous national and international sporting events.
Let us take a look at some of the best and most impressive cricket venues in India that will make any Indian proud. This article will examine the top ten most attractive cricket stadiums in India.
1. HPCA Stadium (Dharamsala)
The scenic HPCA Stadium, with a capacity of 23,000, is nestled between the snow-capped slopes of Dharamshala. It is one of the most tranquil settings for a match, with open stands and an unobstructed view of the hills from all sides of the grounds.
It is one of India’s tallest stadiums, standing at 1457 metres above sea level. The HPCA stadium also houses one of the country’s only residential facilities for female cricketers. With its location, upkeep, and facilities, it has the potential to become a favourite for spectators and players worldwide, and it is undoubtedly one of the top cricket stadiums in India.
2. Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad)
Formerly known as Sardar Patel Stadium or Motera Stadium, the recently refurbished and renamed Narendra Modi Stadium has dethroned the MCG as the world’s largest cricket stadium. It has a capacity of 132,000 people and a long history of emerging talent and great records.
The stadium, which opened in 1982, was built to improve the state’s cricket standards. These grounds have been repaired and improved on a regular basis, the most recent being a 5-year reconstruction project from 2015 to 2020.
3. Eden Gardens (Kolkata)
Eden Gardens is a jewel of Indian cricket that is adored by ardent followers. The stadium carries a lengthy history of cricket and its development in India, dating back to the first test match it witnessed in 1934.
Eden Gardens is practically sacred to cricket enthusiasts all over the world. Throughout the ground’s history, there have been numerous episodes of crowd violence and instability. In its lifespan, it has witnessed everything from violence to happiness, and the stories it holds are regarded as sacred by followers—stories that will definitely be passed down by fans to produce a new generation of admirers.
4. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium (Bangalore)
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore, which is home to one of the most popular IPL teams, has played an important role in the development of Indian players. The grounds, originally known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium, have been in use since 1969.
It earned test status in 1974-75, and one of the greatest batters of all time, Viv Richards, made his debut. It has a capacity of 40,000 people and has staged numerous memorable games over the course of its 50-year history.
5. Arun Jaitley Stadium (Delhi)
This major point of Delhi cricket, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, has seen the emergence of many notable additions to the Indian squad. With its dedicated ground staff taking exceptional care of the field and grounds and the history it has with the game, it is without a doubt one of the top stadiums in India.
It is also one of the oldest cricket fields in the subcontinent, having been built in 1883. Many remarkable feats have been accomplished on these hallowed grounds, most notably Anil Kumble’s 10-wicket haul against Pakistan.
6. MA Chidambaram Stadium (Chennai)
The MA Chidambaram Stadium, the then Madras Presidency’s spiritual centre of cricket, has been in use for almost a century. Chepauk was founded in 1916 and hosted its first Test match in 1933-34. The grounds also witnessed India’s maiden Test victory in 1951-52, when they defeated England by 8 runs with an innings to spare.
Sunil Gavaskar’s 30th Test century was also recorded on this ground. Chepauk has a capacity of 38,000 supporters who have witnessed some of the best cricket played by the country and its regional teams over the years.
7. Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai)
This one has a special place in the hearts of every Indian cricket fan. The Wankhede Stadium was established after a dispute between the Bombay Cricket Association (BCA) and the Cricket Council of India (CCI), which rendered the Brabourne Stadium inaccessible to the former. The new stadium, with a capacity of 45,000, was the third to be built in the country’s cricket capital.
Some incredible milestones and achievements have been set on these grounds, notably Ravi Shastri’s six 6s and Vinod Kambli’s 224 against England, which is the highest individual score by an Indian at Wankhede. The most memorable had to be India’s long-awaited ODI World Cup Final Victory after 28 years in 2011, led by MS Dhoni.
8. Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium (Hyderabad)
The Rajiv Gandhi Cricket Stadium was built to provide a large enough playing and practice area for the Hyderabad players. It was built out of necessity since the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium was too tiny. The stadium is fully equipped with cutting-edge equipment and infrastructure to ensure a smooth international encounter.
The stadium has been the subject of numerous scandals and has been mired in the politics of the state administration and the cricket organisation.
9. Mohali Cricket Stadium (Punjab)
With its practice facilities and pitches, the Punjab Cricket Association’s Stadium in Mohali is a world-class venue. What was previously swampy ground in 1993 was quickly transformed into one of the country’s most beloved and famous stadiums.
Low floodlights were installed at IS Bindra Stadium to prevent collisions with aeroplanes flying into or out of the neighbouring airport. With a capacity of 26,000, the stadium has seen many beloved players go on to represent their country. It was one of the notable grounds that elegantly assisted speed, but it has altered in the past, particularly after repairs and alterations.
10. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium (Naya Raipur)
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Naya Raipur is one of the country’s newer, more modern stadiums. It was chosen as the Delhi Daredevils’ second home venue in 2013, and it hosted two IPL matches that year.
The stadium hosted its first international match (ODI) between India and New Zealand in January 2023. With a seating capacity of 65,000, the stadium promises to be a fun place to watch international sports.
Final Thoughts
India is cricket’s second home and provides unrivalled financial and physical support for the sport. Whether or not they have hosted memorable games, India’s top cricket stadiums honour the sport and offer the necessary facilities for it to flourish.
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