Number of Cricket Stadiums in India – A Detailed Overview

Introduction

Cricket is not just a sport in India; it is an emotion that binds millions of people together. The love and craze for cricket in India are unparalleled, making it one of the most popular sports in the country. From school playgrounds to international stadiums, cricket is played and watched with unmatched enthusiasm.

Over the decades, India has built world-class cricket stadiums that have hosted some of the most historic matches in cricket history. The infrastructure development in cricket reflects the growth of the sport in the country. As of 2025, India boasts over 50 major cricket stadiums that host international and domestic matches, alongside hundreds of smaller grounds used for state-level, club-level, and academy matches.

In this article, we will explore the total number of cricket stadiums in India, the largest and most iconic stadiums, upcoming projects, and the importance of these stadiums in promoting cricket.

Total Number of Cricket Stadiums in India

International Cricket Stadiums

India currently has over 52 international-standard cricket stadiums that have hosted One-Day Internationals (ODIs), Test matches, and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). This makes India the country with the highest number of international cricket stadiums in the world.

These stadiums are spread across various states and cities, allowing cricket fans from every corner of the country to witness live action. Some of these stadiums have become historical venues due to the unforgettable matches they have hosted.

Domestic Cricket Stadiums

Apart from international stadiums, India has more than 100 domestic cricket grounds and stadiums where Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, and other domestic tournaments are played.

Every state association under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) owns multiple stadiums or grounds used for domestic tournaments, practice matches, and training.

Total Count

If we combine international and domestic stadiums, India has over 150 major cricket stadiums. Additionally, there are hundreds of cricket grounds, school stadiums, and private academy grounds, taking the total well above 300+ cricket venues used for various cricketing purposes.

Top 10 Largest Cricket Stadiums in India (by seating capacity)

1. Narendra Modi Stadium (Motera), Ahmedabad, Gujarat

Capacity: 132,000
Fact: Largest cricket stadium in the world
Established: 1983 (Reconstructed in 2020)
Specialty: Hosted the IPL Final, World Cup matches, and Test matches including the pink-ball Test.

2. Eden Gardens, Kolkata, West Bengal

Capacity: 68,000
Established: 1864
Nickname: “Mecca of Indian Cricket”
Fact: Hosted the 1987, 1996, and 2011 Cricket World Cup matches.

3. Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Capacity: 65,000
Established: 2008
Fact: Known for its beautiful design and scenic location.

4. Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad, Telangana

Capacity: 55,000
Established: 2003
Home Team: Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL)

5. M. A. Chidambaram Stadium (Chepauk), Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Capacity: 50,000
Established: 1916
Fact: One of the oldest stadiums, known for its rich history.

6. Arun Jaitley Stadium (Feroz Shah Kotla), Delhi

Capacity: 48,000
Established: 1883
Fact: Hosted historic matches like Anil Kumble’s 10-wicket haul.

7. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru, Karnataka

Capacity: 40,000
Established: 1969
Home Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore (IPL)

8. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai, Maharashtra

Capacity: 33,000
Established: 1974
Fact: Hosted the 2011 ICC World Cup Final.

9. Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali, Punjab

Capacity: 27,000
Established: 1993
Known for: Fast and bouncy pitches.

10. Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala

Capacity: 55,000
Established: 2015
Fact: One of the newest stadiums used for both cricket and football.

Major International Cricket Matches Hosted

India has hosted several international cricketing events in these stadiums, including:

1987, 1996, and 2011, 2023 ICC Cricket World Cups
ICC T20 World Cup 2016
Asia Cups
World Test Championship matches
IPL Finals

The 2011 World Cup Final at Wankhede Stadium, where India lifted the World Cup after 28 years, remains one of the most iconic moments in Indian cricket history.

Upcoming Cricket Stadiums in India

The Indian government and BCCI are constantly working towards building new cricketing infrastructure. Several stadiums are under construction or proposed, including:

International Cricket Stadium, Jaipur (Rajasthan) – Under construction
Greater Noida Sports Complex Stadium, Uttar Pradesh
New cricket stadium in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Bhubaneswar International Stadium, Odisha
New stadium in Pune, Maharashtra

Once completed, these projects will further strengthen India’s cricketing infrastructure.

Role of Indian Premier League (IPL) in Stadium Development

The Indian Premier League (IPL) has played a significant role in the modernization and development of cricket stadiums in India. Many stadiums underwent renovation to meet IPL standards, improving facilities like:

Modern dressing rooms
Corporate boxes
Advanced floodlights
Better pitch and outfield maintenance
Fan amenities like food courts, clean restrooms, and comfortable seating

The IPL’s massive success has made every hosting stadium a cricketing hub during the months of April and May every year.

Importance of Cricket Stadiums in India

1. Promotion of Cricket

The vast network of stadiums in India has played a crucial role in promoting the sport in every region. Small towns and cities getting international matches have inspired many youngsters to take up the sport professionally.

2. Economic Impact

Stadiums generate significant revenue through ticket sales, sponsorships, advertisements, and hospitality services. During major tournaments like the IPL or World Cups, the local economy benefits greatly due to tourism and other associated industries.

3. Employment Opportunities

From groundsmen, security personnel, hospitality staff, to event managers – cricket stadiums generate thousands of jobs every year.

4. Global Recognition

World-class stadiums like Narendra Modi Stadium and Eden Gardens have put India on the global cricketing map, showcasing the country’s capability to host mega sporting events.

Unique Features of Some Indian Cricket Stadiums

Stadium	Unique Feature
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad	Largest seating capacity in the world
Eden Gardens, Kolkata	Oldest and iconic, often called the “Lord’s of Asia”
HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala	Scenic beauty with the Himalayas in the background
Greenfield Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram	First stadium built on DBOT (Design, Build, Operate, Transfer) basis
Baraspara Stadium, Guwahati	Largest stadium in Northeast India

Challenges and Future Prospects

Challenges:

Maintenance of large stadiums during off-season
Managing crowd behavior during high-voltage matches
Upgrading old stadiums to meet modern standards

Future Prospects:

With cricket’s growing popularity, India is likely to build more multi-purpose sports complexes that support not just cricket but other sports too. Also, with the rise of women’s cricket, more stadiums will host Women’s Premier League (WPL) and women’s international matches.

Conclusion

India, the land of cricket lovers, is home to the highest number of cricket stadiums in the world. From the world’s largest stadium in Ahmedabad to the iconic Eden Gardens, every stadium tells a story of India’s love affair with cricket.

With constant development, new stadiums coming up, and increasing fan support, India’s cricketing infrastructure stands as a shining example for the world. These stadiums are not just concrete structures but temples where millions worship the game, creating unforgettable memories.

The future of cricket stadiums in India looks bright, and as cricket continues to grow, so will the infrastructure supporting it.