Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

Description -

The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket venue, also known as Uppal Stadium, is an international cricket venue in Uppal, an eastern suburb of Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The stadium is named after former Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and is home to the Hyderabad cricket team, Hyderabad women's cricket team, and the Indian Premier League franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad. It is owned and run by the Hyderabad Cricket Association.
The stadium has a seating capacity of roughly 39,200 people and covers 16 acres of land. It has held numerous international matches, including Tests, ODIs, and T20Is. The stadium also hosted the 2017 Indian Premier League's opening and final matches, as well as the 2019 IPL final. 

Stadium Details - 

Here are some details about the stadium:

• Owned and operated by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA)
• Serves as the home ground for the Hyderabad cricket team, Hyderabad women's cricket team and the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Sunrisers Hyderabad
• Located in the eastern suburb of Uppal
• Seating capacity of 39,200 spectators 
• Spread over 15 acres of land
• Hosted its first ever ICC event in October 2023 - the 2023 Cricket World Cup

Stadium History - 

Birth of the Stadium:

• Visaka Industries Ltd. won the construction bid in 2003.
• The stadium was initially named "Visakha International Cricket Stadium" in 2004.
• By 2005, construction was mostly complete, and the first ODI between India and South Africa was scheduled.

Name Change and Controversy:

• Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the then Chief Minister, renamed it after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
• The stadium faced initial criticism for its size and suitability for big matches.

Settling In:

• The ground underwent further development and received floodlights in 2007.
• It became the home ground for the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
• The stadium is known for its batsman-friendly pitch and high-scoring matches.

Recent Developments:

• The stadium hosted the IPL team Deccan Chargers and currently houses the Sunrisers Hyderabad.
• It has witnessed some major events, including the IPL 2017 opener and final, and the IPL 2019 final.
• A stand was named after Mohammad Azharuddin, the HCA president, in 2019.

Today, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is a prominent landmark in Hyderabad, a popular venue for domestic and international cricket matches, and a significant part of the city's sporting history.

Records at this Stadium -

The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad has hosted a variety of cricket matches, including Test, ODI, and T20 games. Here are some key records from matches held at this stadium:

Test Matches:

First Test Match: New Zealand vs. India on November 12, 2010

Last Test Match: England vs. India on January 25-28, 2024

Highest Individual Innings: 225 by B B McCullum (New Zealand) on November 12, 2010

Best Bowling (Innings): 6/31 by R Ashwin (India) on August 23, 2012

Best Bowling (Match): 12/85 by R Ashwin (India) on August 23, 2012

Highest Team Innings: 687/6 dec by India on February 9, 2017

Lowest Team Innings: 127 by West Indies on December 10, 2018

ODI Matches:

First ODI: India vs. South Africa on November 16, 2005

Last ODI: Sri Lanka vs. Pakistan on October 10, 2023

Highest Run Chase Achieved: 75/0 by India on October 10, 2018

Sachin Tendulkar completed 17,000 ODI runs, made his 45th ODI century, and received his 60th ODI Man of the Match award at this venue

T20I Matches:

First T20I: West Indies vs. India on December 6, 2019

Last T20I: Australia vs. India on September 25, 2022

These records highlight the significant performances and milestones achieved in Test, ODI, and T20 matches at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad.