Largest Cricket Stadiums In India By Capacity: Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian cricket team, once said, “Cricket is a religion in India.” This is true as India has over 50 international cricket grounds, the most in the world. India has a rich sporting history, but cricket is by far the most popular. The country hosts numerous matches, including international, national, and IPL games.
What Are The Largest Cricket Grounds In India?
Many cricket grounds in India, like Eden Gardens and Motera Stadium, have been expanded over the years to fit more fans. Because of these changes, India now has some of the biggest cricket stadiums in the world.
| Rankings | Stadium | Location | Capacity | Home Teams |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Narendra Modi Stadium | Surat, Gujarat | 1,32,000 | Gujarat Titans, Gujarat Cricket Team |
| 2 | Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 68,000 | Bengal Cricket Team, Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 3 | Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium | Chattisgarh | 65,000 | Chhattisgarh Cricket Team, Delhi Capitals |
| 4 | Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium | Hyderabad | 55,000 | Hyderabad Cricket team, Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| 5 | Greenfield International Stadium | Thiruvananthapuram | 50,000 | Kerala Cricket Team |
| 6 | Ekana Cricket Stadium | Lucknow | 50,000 | Uttar Pradesh Cricket Team, Lucknow Super Giants |
| 7 | Barabati Stadium | Cuttack, Odisha | 45,000 | Odisha Cricket Team |
| 8 | Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium | Nagpur, Maharashtra | 45,000 | Vidarbha Cricket Team |
| 9 | Chepauk Stadium | Chepauk, Chennai | 38,000 | Chennai Super Kings, Tamil Nadu Cricket Team |
| 10 | JSCA International Cricket Stadium | Ranchi, Jharkhand | 35,000 | Jharkhand Cricket Team |
| 11 | Holker Stadium | Indore, Madhya Pradesh | 30,000 | Madhya Pradesh cricket team, MP women’s team |
| 12 | Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium | Rajkot, Gujarat | 28,000 | Gujarat Titans, Saurashtra Cricket Team |
| 13 | Dr. YS Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium | Visakhapatnam | 27,000 | Andhra Cricket Team |
Famous Cricket Grounds In India
Cricket grounds in India are often known for their large seating capacities. Here are details about two of the most notable stadiums:
Chepauk Stadium, Chennai
Also called M A Chidambaram Stadium, it is the second oldest cricket stadium in India, established in 1916. It can hold 38,000 spectators. Significant matches here include the first Test match in 1934 and India’s first Test victory in 1952. The stadium was renovated in 2023 for the IPL season, adding modern facilities and eco-friendly measures like banning plastic and using cloth bags.
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Previously known as Motera Stadium, it is the largest cricket stadium in India and the world, with a capacity of 1.32 lakh spectators. Reconstructed in 2020, it features a circular roof, four dressing rooms, 76 corporate boxes, and extensive parking. It also has a cricket museum and an indoor cricket academy for young players.
Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Eden Gardens in Kolkata is the oldest and second-largest cricket stadium in India. It was established in 1864. Initially, it could hold 40,000 people. During the 1987 World Cup, the capacity was increased to 100,000. In 2011, it was revamped for the ICC World Cup, and its capacity was set at 68,000. The most recent renovation was in 2020. Now, the stadium has world-class features, including four stands and the B.C. Roy Clubhouse. It also has floodlights, a modern scoreboard, and a media center for up to 80 journalists.
Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Chhattisgarh
The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, located in Naya Raipur, has seating for 65,000 spectators. It is the third-largest cricket stadium in India and the fourth-largest in the world. Opened in 2008, it is named after Veer Narayan Singh Binjhwar, a hero of the 1857 Indian Independence War from Sonakhan, Chhattisgarh. Known for its large boundary dimensions, it was recognized as India’s 50th International Cricket Venue in 2023.
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, also called Uppal Stadium, covers 16 acres in Hyderabad. It can hold around 55,000 viewers. Designed by architect Sashi Prabh, it was built in 2003. The stadium has two ends: the Pavilion End and the North End, which is also known as the VVS Laxman End.
The pitch is a flat track, known for being batsman-friendly and high-scoring. Because of this, it isn’t often chosen for high-profile matches in India. As of January 28, 2024, the stadium has hosted six test matches, ten ODIs, and three T20 matches.
Greenfield International Stadium, Trivandrum
Once known as the Trivandrum International Stadium, the Greenfield International Stadium is a versatile venue for cricket and football. Located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, it spans 36 acres and is India’s first Design, Build, Operate, and Transfer (DBOT) outdoor stadium. The stadium seats around 50,000 spectators.
Built to FIFA and ICC standards, the playing area is divided into four zones. The North Zone is for cricket, and the East Zone is for football. Each zone has modern facilities like players’ lounges, gyms, and media centers. The stadium is eco-friendly with ample greenery and rainwater harvesting systems.
Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
Ekana Cricket Stadium was built in 2017 in Lucknow. In 2018, it was renamed Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium to honor the late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the former Prime Minister of India. Today, it is the third-largest international cricket stadium in India, with a seating capacity of 50,000.
As of January 2024, the stadium has hosted one Test match, nine ODIs, and six T20 matches.
JSCA International Cricket Stadium, Ranchi
The Jharkhand States Cricket Association (JSCA) International Cricket Stadium is located in Ranchi. It can seat 35,000 people and has 76 corporate boxes. Spectators can also enjoy views of the stadium from the nearby East and West hills, making it the only stadium in the country with hills on both sides.
The stadium was inaugurated in January 2013 and hosted its first ODI match between India and England on January 19, 2013. It has also hosted seven Indian Premier League matches. One unique feature of the JSCA International Stadium is that its turf is designed so that no shadow falls on any of the nine pitches before 4:45 PM.
Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
Barabati Stadium in Cuttack is owned by the Odisha Cricket Association and is the home ground of the Odisha Cricket team. It was built in 1958 and can hold 45,000 people. The stadium is one of the oldest cricket grounds in India and has hosted many visiting teams, such as the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), West Indies, and Australia, before holding its first international match in 1982.
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur
The Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur is the biggest cricket stadium in India by field size. It has 80-yard straight boundaries and 85-yard square boundaries. The stadium opened in 2008 and hosted its first international match between India and Australia in November of that year.
YS Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium, Andhra Pradesh
Located in Vishakhapatnam, the YS Rajasekhara Reddy International Cricket Stadium is one of the biggest in India. It hosts international cricket matches and is planned to be used by the Sreenidhi Deccan Football Club. The stadium can hold 27,000 spectators, and its design ensures that everyone can have a clear view, with no pillars or columns blocking the view from any seat.
Holkar Stadium, Madhya Pradesh
Holkar Stadium, located in Indore, India, is a famous cricket ground with a seating capacity of over 30,000. Owned by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association, it was originally named Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground before being renamed after the Holkar dynasty. The stadium hosts both domestic and international matches, including six ODIs, three Tests, and three T20Is. It has also held nine IPL games. The second India vs Australia ODI in 2023 took place here. The stadium provides excellent facilities, including modern amenities and a well-maintained pitch. It is home to the Madhya Pradesh cricket teams.
Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium
The Niranjan Shah Stadium, also known as the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, is in Rajkot, India. Built-in 2009, it is Gujarat’s first solar-powered stadium, covering 30 acres with a seating capacity of 28,000. The stadium is part of a sports complex with badminton, basketball, and volleyball facilities. It hosted its first international match in 2013 between India and England. The stadium is also a home ground for the Gujarat Lions in the IPL. It has hosted various ODIs, T20s, and Tests, including the India vs Australia ODI on 27 September 2023.
Special Mention: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium
Located in Mullanpur, Mohali, Punjab, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium hosted its first IPL match in 2024. With a seating capacity of 38,000, the stadium covers 41.95 acres, making it one of the largest cricket stadiums in India.
Also called the New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, it has hosted many IPL matches in Mohali since 2008. However, 2024 is the first time another stadium has been used for IPL games.
Biggest cricket stadium in India: Latest developments
The Noida International Cricket Stadium is being developed in Sector 150, Noida, over 38 acres to host 40,000 spectators. The project has been in planning for over two decades and was approved by the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) in March 2023. Once completed, it will be the fifth international stadium in Uttar Pradesh. The stadium’s design, with a 137.6m diameter, is backed by a consortium including Tata, Birla, Hero Group, and Eldeco. However, as of March 2024, there is a legal issue regarding land allocation that could delay construction.
Q. Which is the largest cricket stadium in India by capacity?
Ans: The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, is the largest in India, with a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators.
Q. Which is the smallest cricket ground in India?
Ans: The Madhavrao Scindia Cricket Ground in Rajkot is the smallest cricket ground in India, with a seating capacity of (15,000 Seats).
Q. Which cricket stadium in India has the biggest boundary?
Ans: The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad has the biggest boundary in India.
Q. Which cricket stadium in India has the most seats?
Ans: The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has the most seats.
Q: Which is the oldest stadium in India?
Ans: Eden Gardens in Kolkata, built in 1864, is the oldest cricket stadium in India. It is also the second-largest, with 68,000 seats for spectators.
