The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is located in Hyderabad and one of the most popular cricket stadiums in the cricket world. The stadium was made in 2004 and hosted its first international fixture in 2005, South Africa in an ODI. Before the inauguration of this stadium, most of the international fixtures took place in the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, where the ground size of the stadium often resulted in high-scoring affairs.
Rajiv Gandhi International stadium situated in Hyderabad is the home ground of Hyderabad team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, which succeeded Deccan Chargers, the former team of Hyderabad, in 2008 as the team representing the city from 2013. Rajiv Gandhi International stadiumIt hosted the finals of the IPL, Indian T20 League, in 2019, which were won by the Mumbai Indians. The stadium has a seating capacity of close to 50,000, which is more than half the city’s other stadium offers. Let’s know more about it in the article.
Overview of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
Below is the overview of the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
| Opened | 2004 |
| Capacity | 50,000 spectators |
| Known As | “Visaka International Cricket Stadium Ground” |
| Location | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Time Zone | IST / UTC + 05:30 |
| Home To | Hyderabad (India), Sunrisers Hyderabad |
| Floodlights | Yes |
| Curator | YL Chandrasekhar |
Matches in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has held a total of 19 matches to date, including 6 tests, 10 ODI matches and 3 T20s. India almost chased down 350 runs in an ODI against Australia. On the other hand, India has won two Tests by an innings against New Zealand as well as Australia, where the spinners did the most damage. This is the reason the stadium is known as heaven for spinners. Yuvraj Singh has scored two centuries on this ground, one against South Africa and the other against Australia. However, both matches came in losing causes.
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History of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
The stadium was established because the folder stadium “ Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium” had limited seating capacity, unfit for international matches. In 2003, the Hyderabad Sports Association submitted a proposal for the new stadium in the city, which was the initialization of the current stadium. The stadium was initially known as Visaka International Cricket Stadium, but was renamed to Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium by the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
Pitch Review of Rajiv Gandhi Stadium
The pitch isn’t slow and low like the pitches of stadiums located in Kolkata and Chennai, but definitely in favour of bowlers, moreover for spinners. The average score on the pitch in T20s since 2018 has been around 160. The pacers usually take more wickets here than the spinners, but the spinners prove to be more economical. The home team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, has well overexploited the ground. The team has won 30 out of 44 matches of the Indian T20 League before the 2023 edition commenced.
T20 (Domestic) Stats
Let’s look at the table below, which describes T20 (Domestic) Stats-
| Total Matches | 3 |
| Matches won batting first | 1 |
| Matches won bowling first | 2 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 230 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 186 |
| The highest total recorded | 297/6 (20 Ovs) By IND vs BAN |
| Lowest total recorded | 0/0 (0 Ovs) By vs |
| The highest score chased | 209/4 (18.4 Ovs) By IND vs WI |
| Lowest score defended | 297/6 (20 Ovs) By IND vs BAN |
Test Stats in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
Let’s look at the table below, which describes TEST Stats –
| Total Matches | 6 |
| Matches won batting first | 3 |
| Matches won bowling first | 2 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 378 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 387 |
| Average 3rd innings Score | 241 |
| Average 4th innings Score | 148 |
| The highest total recorded | 687/6 (166 Ovs) By IND vs BAN |
| Lowest total recorded | 127/10 (46.1 Ovs) By WI vs IND |
| The highest score chased | 75/0 (16.1 Ovs) By IND vs WI |
| Lowest score defended | 202/10 (69.2 Ovs) By IND vs ENG |
ODI Stats of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
Let’s look at the table below, which describes ODI Stats –
| Total Matches | 10 |
| Matches won batting first | 6 |
| Matches won bowling first | 4 |
| Average 1st innings Score | 296 |
| Average 2nd innings Score | 261 |
| The highest total recorded | 350/4 (50 Ovs) By AUS vs IND |
| Lowest total recorded | 174/10 (36.1 Ovs) By ENG vs IND |
| The highest score chased | 345/4 (48.2 Ovs) By PAK vs SL |
| Lowest score defended | 290/7 (50 Ovs) By AUS vs IND |
FAQs about Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
Q-1) Where is the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium located?
A- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is located in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is easily accessible from different parts of the city and is a prominent landmark for cricket fans.
Q-2) What is the current seating capacity of the stadium?
A- The stadium can accommodate around 50,000 spectators. It was designed with modern architecture to provide excellent visibility and comfort to the audience.
Q-3) Who owns and operates the stadium?
A- The stadium is owned and maintained by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA), which is responsible for hosting domestic and international cricket matches in Hyderabad.
Q-4) When was the stadium inaugurated?
A- It was officially inaugurated in the year 2005. Since then, it has become one of the major cricket venues in India, hosting several high-profile matches, including World Cup and IPL games.
Q-5) What types of matches are played here?
A- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is a versatile venue that hosts Test matches, One Day Internationals (ODIs), T20 Internationals, and Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. It is one of the main cricket stadiums used by the BCCI for international fixtures.
Q-6) Which IPL team uses it as their home ground?
A- The stadium is the home ground of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), an IPL franchise that has a strong fan base. The venue is known for its electrifying atmosphere during SRH home games.
Q-7) Is there any special feature about the stadium?
A- Yes, the stadium is known for its batting-friendly pitch, which often leads to high-scoring games. It is equipped with state-of-the-art floodlights, advanced drainage systems, and modern player facilities, making it a world-class venue.
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