Biggest Cricket Stadiums in India – List of the 15 Largest Grounds

Indian cricket followers are fanatical about their favourite sport. Outside of the country, we marvel at the huge, packed grounds but which are the biggest cricket stadiums in India?

Which is the Largest Cricket Stadium in India?

The Narendra Modi Stadium, also known as the Motera Stadium, is the biggest cricket ground in India. The venue originally broke ground in 1983 but it received significant expansion in 2017.

In the present day, the Motera Stadium has a capacity of 132.000 spectators, and this makes it the biggest sporting stadium in the world.

Biggest Cricket Stadiums in India

1 – Narendra Modi Stadium (Motera Cricket Stadium)

As we’ve already seen, the Narendra Modi Stadium is the biggest in India. Situated in Ahmedabad, it has become a regular host for test matches, ODIs and T20Is.

Perhaps the biggest coup for the Motera Stadium came in 2022 when it held the IPL Final between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals. It was a big game and one that needed the biggest stadium of all.

Narendra Modi Stadium
Narendra Modi Stadium (Motera Cricket Stadium)

2 – Eden Gardens

Situated in Kolkata, cricket fans outside of India will be more familiar with the Eden Gardens ground. It was established in 1864 and that makes in the oldest cricket stadium in India.

Until the Motera Stadium came along, Eden Gardens was the biggest cricket ground in the country but, even in the modern era, it remains the third largest in the world. As of 2022, the official capacity is listed at 68,000.

Eden Gardens Stadium
Eden Gardens Stadium

3 – Arun Jaitley Stadium

Arun Jaitley is the new name for the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium. Situated in New Delhi, its establishment in 1883 makes it the second oldest cricket ground in India. As of 2022, the Arun Jaitley Stadium has a confirmed capacity of 41,842.

It will be used by the Indian national team moving forward while followers of the IPL will know this ground as the regular home of the Delhi Capitals.

Arun Jaitley Stadium
Arun Jaitley Stadium

4 – Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

Located in Hyderabad, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium has a capacity of 55,000 as of 2022. It is one of the newer venues on this list having been first opened as recently as 2003.

The Stadium’s first international match followed two years later in 2005 when India hosted South Africa in an ODI. It’s a regular home for the Indian national team while Sunrisers Hyderabad also play here during the IPL.

Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

5 – Greenfield International Stadium

Also known as the Sports Hub at Trivandrum, The Greenfield International Stadium opened its doors to the cricketing public in 2015 after construction began in 2012. So far, it’s only been used for limited overs cricket with India playing a handful of T20s and a solitary ODI.

With a capacity of 55,000, the Greenfield International Stadium is capable of holding more games moving forward and it’s also been used by the Indian national football team.

Greenfield International Stadium
Greenfield International Stadium

6 – JSCA International Cricket Stadium

Located in Ranchi, the JSCA International Cricket Stadium is occasionally used by the Chennai Super Kings. It’s also an occasional venue for the national side with all three formats having been played here.

The Stadium is a more regular host for the Indian women’s team with ODIs and T20s covered. The JSCA International Cricket Stadium was opened in 2010 to cater for a growing demand for cricket and it currently has a capacity of 50,000.

JSCA Cricket Stadium
JSCA International Cricket Stadium

7 – Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium

It’s not a game that trips off the tongue so you may be relieved to learn that the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is frequently abbreviated to the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium.

The ground was established in 2017 and it forms part of the Ekana Sportz City complex in Lucknow. Not only have India played here, but the stadium has also hosted a number of Afghanistan’s international matches.

With a capacity of 50,000, there is scope for plenty more international cricket to be played at this impressive ground.

8 – Barabati Stadium

Situated in Cuttack, the Barabati Stadium was opened in 1958. It was home to the Deccan Chargers between 2010 and 2012 but that particular IPL franchise is now defunct.

Kolkata Knight Riders and Kings XI Punjab have also played here but there have been no IPL games at the Barabati since 2014. It’s a similar story in the international arena where India hasn’t paid a visit since 2019.

With a capacity of 48,000, the Barabati Stadium is capable of much more.

Barabati Stadium
Barabati Stadium in Cuttack

9 – Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium

Also known as the new VCA Stadium, the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium was opened in 2008 and it currently has a capacity of 45,000. Domestically, it is used by the Vidarbha cricket team.

The venue also hosts international cricket. The first game played here was a test match between India and Australia in 2008 and it has since held games in all three formats.

Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium
VCA Stadium

10 – M. Chinnaswamy Stadium

Regular viewers of the IPL will know that the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is the regular home of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was opened in 1969 and now has a capacity of 45,000.

India are also regular visitors to this venue. The first international game at the M. Chinnaswamy was a test match against the West Indies way back in 1974. All formats plus women’s international cricket are also played here.

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium

11 – Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium

Located in Barsapara, the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium was completed in 2012 and its confirmed capacity in the present day comes in at 45,000. The Assam cricket team play their domestic matches at this venue.

In terms of international cricket, only the limited overs formats have been hosted. The first match was a T20 international between India and Australia in 2017.

12 – Green Park Stadium

The Green Park Stadium briefly held IPL cricket here when it became the home of temporary franchise Gujarat Lions. Domestic cricket is now monopolized by Uttar Pradesh.

This is an international venue too with India first playing a test match here back in 1952.

The Green Park Stadium was opened in 1952 and its capacity in the present day sits at 32,000.

Green Park Stadium
Green Park Stadium in Kanpur

13 – Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium

Located in Pune, the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium lists its official capacity at 45,000. It was opened in 2012 and has been home to four different IPL franchises including the Pune Warriors and Kings XI Punjab.

International matches have been hosted by this stadium since 2012 and India have played here in all three formats.

14 – M. A. Chidambaram Stadium

The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai was opened back in 1916 so it is one of the oldest grounds on the circuit. Domestically, it is home to the Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

With its official capacity of 50,000, the stadium is ideal for international cricket. All formats of the game have been played here, starting with India’s test match against England back in 1934.

M. A. Chidambaram Stadium
M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai

15 – Wankhede Stadium

One of the more familiar grounds in India, the Wankhede Stadium is located in Mumbai and it was opened in 1974. It previously had a capacity of 55,000 but, following renovations prior to the 2011 World Cup, that has been reduced to 33,108.

Mumbai Indians play their home games here while India’s association with the ground goes back to 1975 when they played a test match against the West Indies.

Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai
Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai

How many International Cricket Stadiums are there in India?

As of June 2022, 52 cricket stadiums in India have hosted international cricket matches. The first of these was the Gymkhana Ground in Bombay which held India’s first ever test match in 1933.

The total of 52 is 29 more than the next country. England are in second place with 23 international grounds

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Conclusion

I was aware that India had been taking cricket into parts of the country that hadn’t previously hosted international matches. However, that total of 52 grounds came as a surprise.

The stadiums always seem packed and that underlines just how popular the game is here. Visually, the grounds are stunning and this must be a great place from which to watch any form of cricket.