Ekana International Cricket Stadium

Ekana International Cricket Stadium

Description - 

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is a cutting-edge stadium in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. With a seating capacity of 50,000 people, it is one of the most advanced cricket stadiums in the country, designed to raise sporting standards in the region and provide world-class amenities to players, officials, VIPs, spectators, and the media.

The Ekana Cricket Stadium meets ICC and BCCI criteria for holding international cricket matches, including floodlights for night matches. The stadium has hosted many memorable performances, including Rohit Sharma's T20I century and Mohammed Shami's excellent bowling figures. The venue has set records for ODI matches, including South Africa's best score and England's lowest score. Players like Shai Hope and Dilshan Madhushanka thrived at this venue in terms of runs and wickets, respectively.

Stadium Details - 

• Full Name: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium

• Location: Ekana Sportz City, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

• Seating Capacity: 50,000 (fifth largest international cricket stadium in India)

• Opened: 2017

• Home Ground: Uttar Pradesh cricket team, UP women's cricket team, Lucknow Super Giants (IPL)

• Other Features: Floodlights, five gates (including dedicated VIP entrance), ample parking

Stadium's History -

Early days and construction (2014-2017):

• The project to build a world-class cricket stadium in Lucknow began in 2014.
• It was constructed under a public-private partnership between Ekana Sportz City and the Lucknow Development Authority.
• The stadium was built with a budget of ₹360 crores.
• Initially planned to host its first international match in October 2017, the venue was shifted due to incomplete construction.

Opening and milestones (2017-2019):

• The stadium, originally named Ekana International Cricket Stadium, opened in 2017.
• It hosted its first domestic match, the final of the 2017-18 Duleep Trophy.
• In 2018, it was renamed Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in honor of India's 10th Prime Minister.
• The same year, it hosted its first international match, a T20I between India and West Indies, where Rohit Sharma became the first cricketer to score four centuries in T20Is.
• In 2019, the BCCI designated the stadium as a temporary home ground for the Afghanistan Cricket Board for one year.

Recent years (2020-present):

• As of January 2024, the stadium has hosted 1 Test, 9 ODIs, and 6 T20Is.
• In the 2023 IPL season, it served as the home ground for the newly formed team, Lucknow Super Giants.

Records at this Stadium - 

Test matches:

• As of January 18, 2024, the stadium has only hosted 1 Test match.
• The match was played between India and Afghanistan in November 2019, which ended in a draw.

ODI matches:

• The Ekana Cricket Stadium has hosted 9 ODI matches.
• India has won 5, lost 3, and 1 match ended with no result.

T20I matches:

• The stadium has hosted 6 T20I matches.
• India has won 3, and 3 matches were won by the visiting team.

Here are some additional details about the records:

• Highest team total in T20Is: India's 199/2 against Sri Lanka in February 2022.
• Lowest team total in T20Is: New Zealand's 99/8 against India in January 2023.
• Most runs in T20Is: Rohit Sharma (India) with 111 runs.
• Highest individual score in T20Is: Rohit Sharma (India) with 111 runs against West Indies in November 2018.

Overall, the Ekana Cricket Stadium is still a relatively new venue for international cricket and is yet to establish a strong historical record. However, it has already witnessed some exciting matches and will likely see many more in the future.