Indian Cricket stadiums are run and managed by the
Indian Cricket Associations, at the state level, with necessary help from the
Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The Indian Cricket stadiums have been made according to the rules and regulations prescribed by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The length and width of the main Cricket ground, the training and practice facilities for
Indian cricket players, the proper sitting arrangement for spectators - all these things have been made following the guidelines of ICC. The stadiums are also being maintained at per the guidelines of the ICC.
Stadiums in Eastern India
The existence of the Indian Cricket stadiums can be traced back to the year 1864, when India`s first ever Cricket ground
Eden Gardens was established in Calcutta (
Kolkata). The stadium is considered to be one of the largest and most beautiful Cricket stadiums all over the world. The stadium is also referred to be the Lord`s of Asia, by several Cricket enthusiasts. The stadium hosted its inaugural first-class match in 1917-18 and it hosted its first Test match in 1934, when India played against Douglas Jardine`s MCC. The first ODI match held in this ground was the match between India and Pakistan, in February 1987. Eden Gardens has the credit of hosting the most number of Test matches by any ground in India. It also has the distinction of hosting the Final match of the World Cup, 1987. Eden Gardens has a huge sitting capacity of over 100,000 people. The stadium is equipped with all the necessary facilities, having one of the best cricketing facilities in the world and is being run and managed by the
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).
Stadiums in Northern India
The state of Delhi houses one of the most historical Indian Cricket stadiums, named the
Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. The stadium is most remembered for one of the greatest achievements in India Cricket that was the 10 wicket hall of Anil Kumble, in an innings. Kumble achieved the feat in a Test match against Pakistan in 1999 and became only the second bowler in the history of Cricket to have taken all the 10 wickets in an innings. The stadium hosted its first match on 10th November, 1948. The stadium is being run and managed by the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA).
Stadiums in Western India
Among the most popular Indian Cricket stadiums, the
Brabourne Stadium is definitely one of the foremost. The stadium is situated in
Mumbai and it belongs to the Cricket Club of India (CCI). The stadium hosted its first Test match in 1948 and it also used to host the Bombay Pentangular matches. The stadium has a distinction of organising several international matches; however, it is being used mainly for organising domestic and tour games in the recent years. Apart from organising Cricket matches, the stadium also hosts Tennis matches. It hosted the Davis Cup Asia-Oceania second round Group match between India and Pakistan in April 2006.
The
Wankhede Stadium is also considered to be one of the most famous and well maintain Indian Cricket stadiums and it was established during the 1970s. Situated in Mumbai near the
Brabourne Stadium, this stadium is being run and maintained by the
Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA). The stadium was named after the then secretary of MCA, Mr. S. K. Wankhede. It was him, who took the main initiative to build this stadium. The Wankhede Stadium hosted its first Test match in 1975, when India played against West Indies. Since then, the stadium has been hosting all the international matches in Mumbai. The stadium has a huge capacity of 45,000 and it has witnessed some of the greatest performances in the
history of Indian Cricket, so far. This stadium has hosted the World Cup 2011, final match between India and Sri Lanka.
Stadiums in Southern India
Out of all the Indian Cricket stadiums, the
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is referred to as one of the premier ones. The stadium started its journey during the later half of 1960s and is being run and managed by the
Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The stadium is named the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after the former President of BCCI and a prominent member of the KSCA, Mr. M. Chinnaswamy. The stadium has a sitting capacity of 55,000 and apart from cricket matches; it is also used for musical and cultural programmes. It hosted its first ever first class match in 1972-73 and the first Test match was played in the 1974-75 season, between India and West Indies. The stadium hosted its first ODI match in 1982.
The
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium is considered to be one of the best one among the Indian Cricket stadiums. The stadium is located in the city of
Chennai and hosted its first match in February, 1934. The stadium is also popularly known as Chepauk and holds great historical importance for India, as it was here that India registered it maiden Test victory here in 1952 against England. Chepauk has a rich history of hosting great matches, where several records were made or broken. The second ever-tied Test played between India and Australia in 1987, was held in this stadium. The famous Pakistani Opening batsman, Saeed Anwar also entered the record books when he smashed the Indian attack for a mammoth 194 in the Independence Cup in 1997.
Other popular cricket stadiums in India
Apart from the above mentioned stadiums, there are also several other Indian Cricket stadiums that have been serving the purpose of organising Cricket matches, with great distinction. Some of these stadiums include the
Punjab C.A. Stadium, the
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium,
Himachal Pradesh , the
Sardar Patel Stadium,
Ahmedabad; the
Vidarbha C.A. Ground,
Nagpur; the
Green Park Stadium,
Kanpur; the
Barabati Stadium,
Cuttack; the
Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium,
Hyderabad; the
Sawai Mansingh Stadium,
Jaipur; etc.
Indian State Level Cricketers
(Last Updated on : 22/05/2013)
