Eden Gardens - Kolkata
Established in 1864, the world-famous ground is the country's biggest cricket venue and had initially a seating capacity of 120,000 before renovations reduced it to its current capacity of 90,000. It hosted its first Test in 1934 between India and England, and the first ODI was played here between India and Pakistan in 1987.
The ground is famous for its passionate and vocal crowd and has previously hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1987 and 1996. The venue was witness to some famous individual feats including Harbhajan Singh becoming the first-ever Indian bowler to capture a Test hat-trick against Australia in March 2001 and Kapil Dev's ODI hat-trick against Sri Lanka in January 1991.
Feroz Shah Kotla - Delhi
Established in 1883, the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, formerly known as Willingdon Pavilion, is run by Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) and is named after Feroz Shah Tughlaq of the Tughlaq dynasty from the 14th century. It held its first official match on November 10, 1948 between India and West Indies. The stadium with a seating capacity of 48,000 has also hosted the 1987 and 1996 ICC Cricket World Cups.
Anil Kumble famously took his 10 Test wickets in an innings on this ground in 1999 against Pakistan. In 1983-84, Sunil Gavaskar scored his 29th century to equal Don Bradman's long standing record for the highest number of hundreds in Test cricket. In 2005-06, Sachin Tendulkar broke Gavaskar's record of most centuries with his 35th Test century in this venue.
Wankhede Stadium - Mumbai
Established in 1974, the stadium is located less than a mile away from Brabourne Stadium. Its seaside proximity assists swing bowlers during the early part of each day. It is currently being rebuilt ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The first Test in the ground was played in January 1975 between India and West Indies. The venue has played host to ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 and 1996.
M. A.Chidambaram Stadium - Chennai
The venue, better known as Chepauk Stadium, was established in 1916, and has a capacity of 50,000. The first Test was played here in February 1934 between India and England and the stadium has also hosted the 1987 and 1996 ICC Cricket World Cups. The first-ever Ranji Trophy match between Mysore and Tamil Nadu was also played here.
Pakistan's Saeed Anwar scored his famous knock of 194 against India in the Independence Cup match in 1997 at the same venue. India's Virender Sehwag produced his classic triple-hundred at this venue in the 2008 Test between India and South Africa.
The stadium is also recognised for the sporting behaviour of its crowd, which is reputed to be one of the most knowledgeable and appreciative in the country.
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium - Mohali
The 30,000-seat venue was established in 1993, and was transformed from a swamp with deep ravines into one of India's top sporting venues in the space of just two years. The first official match played here was an ODI between India and South Africa in November 1993. It was the venue for the thrilling ICC CWC 1996 semi-final in 1996 when Australia beat the West Indies by five runs.
The pitch initially assisted pace bowlers, especially in Test matches, but it has subsequently settled down to become a batsman's paradise. West Indies' Jimmy Adams has fond memories of the ground , in 1994, he scored 174 not and 78 not out, leading his side to victory by 243 runs.
The venue is considered to be one of the best in the country, with world-class facilities for practice, spectators as well the media.
Vidharba Cricket Association Stadium - Nagpur
This stadium, with a seating capacity of 45,000, was established in 2008 and boasts some of the best facilities in the country for players, spectators and media. Built over 35-acres of land, the venue is located 20 kilometres from the city center.
The first official match played here was the fourth Test between India and Australia in November 2008. The Vidarbha Cricket Association subsequently installed floodlights in the stadium for the day and night ODI series against Australia in 2009-10. The ground also hosted the second ODI between India and Sri Lanka in December 2009 when the venue was shifted from Vishakhapatnam due to security reasons.
Sardar Patel Stadium - Ahmedabad
Also known as Motera, the stadium was established in 1982 and is built on the banks of the Sabarmati River on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Located on a 50-acre site, it took only nine months to construct the 48,000-seater stadium.
The first match played here was the third Test between India and West Indies in November 1983. The venue also hosted the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 between India and Zimbabwe in October 1987.
The venue has witnessed some memorable Indian feats including Sunil Gavaskar achieving 10,000 Test runs against Pakistan in 1986-87, and Kapil Dev claiming his 432nd victim to break Richard Hadlee's record as leading Test wicket-taker.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium - Bangalore
Established in 1969, the venue was originally named as Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium and eventually renamed after M Chinnaswamy, who was the president of the Indian board from 1977 until 1980.
The stadium was given Test status in 1974-75 and hosted West Indies in the opening match, although the stadium was only half-built. That match was also the debut of two West Indian greats, Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards.
The venue, with a capacity of 50,000, has also hosted ICC CWC matches in 1987 and 1996 including the fierce CWC quarterfinal between India and Pakistan in March 1996.
R. Premadasa Stadium - Colombo
Established in 1986, the venue, named after former Sri Lanka president Ranasinghe Premadasa, was earlier named Khettarama Stadium. It is the biggest stadium in the country and was built on swampland previously used by monks ferrying across to the Khettarama temple adjacent to the stadium.
The 35,000-seater venue hosted its first official match with the ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand played on April 1986. The first Test was played between Sri Lanka and Australia in September 1992.
A new training centre was developed behind the stadium with 16 practice pitches and dormitories for the Academy which started in 2003.
Pallekele Cricket Stadium - Kandy
The venue is being built exclusively for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and will host three CWC matches.
Pallakele was acquired by SLC in 2006 for developing it into an international venue with lights so that international cricket matches can be hosted. The venue has already hosted an U19 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, during the tri-series in late 2009.
The project, to be built at an estimated cost of $3.93 million, will have a capacity of 25,000 and would also be beneficial for schools around the area.
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota
Established in 2009, the venue is being built exclusively for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and will host two CWC matches. Sri Lanka Cricket considered building new venues when existing grounds like Galle, SSC and P Sara Oval, did not qualify for having capacity crowds of less than 20,000.
The project to build an international cricket stadium in Hambantota with lights was approved in 2006 by Sri Lanka Cricket. The entire cost of the stadium is estimated to be US$7.86 million and is expected to be ready by August 2010.
Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium - Chittagong
The venue is also known as Chittagong Divsional Stadium and previously known as Bir Shrestha Shahid Ruhul Amin Stadium. Situated about half-an-hour outside the city centre, the stadium was one of the five purpose-built cricket grounds established in the run-up to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2004.
Spectators can enjoy both cricket and breathtaking beauty of the Bay of Bengal simultaneously for the wonderful location of the stadium. It was granted full international status in January 2006, ahead of Sri Lanka's visit to the country.
Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium - Dhaka
Established in 2006, the venue was named after AK Fazlul Haque - the country's renowned leader and has a seating capacity of 25,000. The stadium will host the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The first official match played here was the ODI between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in December 2008 and the ground was granted as Test venue status in 2007.
Established in 1864, the world-famous ground is the country's biggest cricket venue and had initially a seating capacity of 120,000 before renovations reduced it to its current capacity of 90,000. It hosted its first Test in 1934 between India and England, and the first ODI was played here between India and Pakistan in 1987.
The ground is famous for its passionate and vocal crowd and has previously hosted the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1987 and 1996. The venue was witness to some famous individual feats including Harbhajan Singh becoming the first-ever Indian bowler to capture a Test hat-trick against Australia in March 2001 and Kapil Dev's ODI hat-trick against Sri Lanka in January 1991.
Feroz Shah Kotla - Delhi
Established in 1883, the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, formerly known as Willingdon Pavilion, is run by Delhi & Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) and is named after Feroz Shah Tughlaq of the Tughlaq dynasty from the 14th century. It held its first official match on November 10, 1948 between India and West Indies. The stadium with a seating capacity of 48,000 has also hosted the 1987 and 1996 ICC Cricket World Cups.
Anil Kumble famously took his 10 Test wickets in an innings on this ground in 1999 against Pakistan. In 1983-84, Sunil Gavaskar scored his 29th century to equal Don Bradman's long standing record for the highest number of hundreds in Test cricket. In 2005-06, Sachin Tendulkar broke Gavaskar's record of most centuries with his 35th Test century in this venue.
Wankhede Stadium - Mumbai
Established in 1974, the stadium is located less than a mile away from Brabourne Stadium. Its seaside proximity assists swing bowlers during the early part of each day. It is currently being rebuilt ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The first Test in the ground was played in January 1975 between India and West Indies. The venue has played host to ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 and 1996.
M. A.Chidambaram Stadium - Chennai
The venue, better known as Chepauk Stadium, was established in 1916, and has a capacity of 50,000. The first Test was played here in February 1934 between India and England and the stadium has also hosted the 1987 and 1996 ICC Cricket World Cups. The first-ever Ranji Trophy match between Mysore and Tamil Nadu was also played here.
Pakistan's Saeed Anwar scored his famous knock of 194 against India in the Independence Cup match in 1997 at the same venue. India's Virender Sehwag produced his classic triple-hundred at this venue in the 2008 Test between India and South Africa.
The stadium is also recognised for the sporting behaviour of its crowd, which is reputed to be one of the most knowledgeable and appreciative in the country.
Punjab Cricket Association Stadium - Mohali
The 30,000-seat venue was established in 1993, and was transformed from a swamp with deep ravines into one of India's top sporting venues in the space of just two years. The first official match played here was an ODI between India and South Africa in November 1993. It was the venue for the thrilling ICC CWC 1996 semi-final in 1996 when Australia beat the West Indies by five runs.
The pitch initially assisted pace bowlers, especially in Test matches, but it has subsequently settled down to become a batsman's paradise. West Indies' Jimmy Adams has fond memories of the ground , in 1994, he scored 174 not and 78 not out, leading his side to victory by 243 runs.
The venue is considered to be one of the best in the country, with world-class facilities for practice, spectators as well the media.
Vidharba Cricket Association Stadium - Nagpur
This stadium, with a seating capacity of 45,000, was established in 2008 and boasts some of the best facilities in the country for players, spectators and media. Built over 35-acres of land, the venue is located 20 kilometres from the city center.
The first official match played here was the fourth Test between India and Australia in November 2008. The Vidarbha Cricket Association subsequently installed floodlights in the stadium for the day and night ODI series against Australia in 2009-10. The ground also hosted the second ODI between India and Sri Lanka in December 2009 when the venue was shifted from Vishakhapatnam due to security reasons.
Sardar Patel Stadium - Ahmedabad
Also known as Motera, the stadium was established in 1982 and is built on the banks of the Sabarmati River on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Located on a 50-acre site, it took only nine months to construct the 48,000-seater stadium.
The first match played here was the third Test between India and West Indies in November 1983. The venue also hosted the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 between India and Zimbabwe in October 1987.
The venue has witnessed some memorable Indian feats including Sunil Gavaskar achieving 10,000 Test runs against Pakistan in 1986-87, and Kapil Dev claiming his 432nd victim to break Richard Hadlee's record as leading Test wicket-taker.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium - Bangalore
Established in 1969, the venue was originally named as Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium and eventually renamed after M Chinnaswamy, who was the president of the Indian board from 1977 until 1980.
The stadium was given Test status in 1974-75 and hosted West Indies in the opening match, although the stadium was only half-built. That match was also the debut of two West Indian greats, Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards.
The venue, with a capacity of 50,000, has also hosted ICC CWC matches in 1987 and 1996 including the fierce CWC quarterfinal between India and Pakistan in March 1996.
R. Premadasa Stadium - Colombo
Established in 1986, the venue, named after former Sri Lanka president Ranasinghe Premadasa, was earlier named Khettarama Stadium. It is the biggest stadium in the country and was built on swampland previously used by monks ferrying across to the Khettarama temple adjacent to the stadium.
The 35,000-seater venue hosted its first official match with the ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand played on April 1986. The first Test was played between Sri Lanka and Australia in September 1992.
A new training centre was developed behind the stadium with 16 practice pitches and dormitories for the Academy which started in 2003.
Pallekele Cricket Stadium - Kandy
The venue is being built exclusively for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and will host three CWC matches.
Pallakele was acquired by SLC in 2006 for developing it into an international venue with lights so that international cricket matches can be hosted. The venue has already hosted an U19 match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, during the tri-series in late 2009.
The project, to be built at an estimated cost of $3.93 million, will have a capacity of 25,000 and would also be beneficial for schools around the area.
Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium, Sooriyawewa, Hambantota
Established in 2009, the venue is being built exclusively for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 and will host two CWC matches. Sri Lanka Cricket considered building new venues when existing grounds like Galle, SSC and P Sara Oval, did not qualify for having capacity crowds of less than 20,000.
The project to build an international cricket stadium in Hambantota with lights was approved in 2006 by Sri Lanka Cricket. The entire cost of the stadium is estimated to be US$7.86 million and is expected to be ready by August 2010.
Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium - Chittagong
The venue is also known as Chittagong Divsional Stadium and previously known as Bir Shrestha Shahid Ruhul Amin Stadium. Situated about half-an-hour outside the city centre, the stadium was one of the five purpose-built cricket grounds established in the run-up to the ICC U19 Cricket World Cup 2004.
Spectators can enjoy both cricket and breathtaking beauty of the Bay of Bengal simultaneously for the wonderful location of the stadium. It was granted full international status in January 2006, ahead of Sri Lanka's visit to the country.
Sher-e-Bangla Cricket Stadium - Dhaka
Established in 2006, the venue was named after AK Fazlul Haque - the country's renowned leader and has a seating capacity of 25,000. The stadium will host the opening ceremony of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.
The first official match played here was the ODI between Bangladesh and Zimbabwe in December 2008 and the ground was granted as Test venue status in 2007.
