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Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

Coordinates: 17°24′23″N 78°33′01″E / 17.40639°N 78.55028°E / 17.40639; 78.55028
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For the similarly-named cricket stadium in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, see Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun.

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
Uppal Stadium
The Rajiv Gandhi International cricket Stadium in 2025.
Ground information
LocationUppal, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
Coordinates17°24′23″N 78°33′01″E / 17.40639°N 78.55028°E / 17.40639; 78.55028
Establishment2003; 22 years ago (2003)
Capacity39,000
OwnerHyderabad Cricket Association (HCA)
ArchitectShashi Prabhu[1]
OperatorHCA
TenantsIndia cricket team (2005–present)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (2013–present)
Deccan Chargers (2008-2012)
End names
North end[2]
Pavellion end[2]
International information
First Test12–16 November 2010:
 India v  New Zealand
Last Test25–28 January 2024:
 India v  England
First ODI16 November 2005:
 India v  South Africa
Last ODI10 October 2023:
 Pakistan v  Sri Lanka
First T20I6 December 2019:
 India v  West Indies
Last T20I12 October 2024:
 India v  Bangladesh
As of 12 October 2024
Source: ESPNcricinfo

The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, commonly known as Uppal Stadium, is an international cricket stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is owned and operated by Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). It is the home ground of Hyderabad cricket team and Hyderabad women's cricket team.[3]

Located in the eastern suburb of Uppal, it has a seating capacity of 39,000 and extends across 15 acres of land.[4] It serves as the home ground the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad. As of 13 October 2024, it has hosted 6 Tests, 10 ODIs, and 3 T20Is. The stadium hosted the final of 2017 IPL and the final of the 2019 IPL. The stadium hosted its first ICC event in October 2023 during the 2023 Cricket World Cup.

It is renamed after the former prime minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.[5]

History

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Previous Stadium

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Prior to the construction of the stadium, the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in the Fateh Maidan sports complex at Basheerbagh in central Hyderabad was used to host domestic and international cricket matches in Hyderabad. Between 1955 and 2003 the stadium hosted 3 test matches and 14 One Day Internationals.

Construction

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Before the stadium was built, HCA hosted domestic and international matches at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium. The ground's proprietor was the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh state (Now Sports Authority of Telangana State) due to which HCA had limited authority and control over the ground, due to which it decided to build their own stadium.[5] In 2003, the proposal for a new stadium was submitted by HCA to the government[6] of erstwhile Andhra Pradesh, then headed by N. Chandrababu Naidu. The proposal was quickly cleared and HCA was allocated a budget for the same. The government also identified a large piece of land suitable for the project at Uppal.[7]

Naming

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Most of the funding for the project came after an open auction of the stadium's title was held. Visaka Industries Limited won the auction with a bid price of ₹65,00,00,000. A sum of ₹43,00,00,000 was paid in advance and the stadium was named "Visakha International Cricket Stadium" in 2004.[8]

By 2005 when most of the stadium was built, it was ready to host its first ODI Match between India and South Africa. However, Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy the former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (before the separation of Telangana) decided to change the name of the stadium to Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in memory of the former Prime Minister of India Rajiv Gandhi.[2]

Following this decision, HCA was required to pay Visakha Industries six times the contract price in accordance with the contract clauses governing any subsequent renaming of the stadium or the Visakha name not remaining attached to the stadium. HCA however, following some negotiations by Govt, got away with paying an amount of ₹43,00,00,000, i.e. the contract price only.[8][9]

The ends are named Pavilion End and North End. On the retirement of VVS Laxman, the HCA decided to honor the veteran by naming the North End after him.[10]

Renovations

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Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium after the installation of floodlights

Following the opening of the stadium in 2003 the stadium went under numerous minor upgrades. Floodlights were installed in 2008 while canopies were installed for the southern and northern stands in 2013.[11][12] However, the stadium underwent its first major renovation ahead of the 2023 world cup.

Prior to the start of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, BCCI selected the stadium to undergo renovations. The board sanctioned ₹120 crore (US$14 million) for the renovations, which were to be undertaken by the HCA and the BCCI. The renovation works included the installations of new canopy on the west and east stand. Parts of the southern stand canopy which were blow away by a strong gale in 2019 were replaced as well. [13]The renovation saw the replacement of over 10,000 seats, installation of new screens, replacement of the existing floodlights with new LED floodlights, and other renovation to improve viewer amenities.[14][15]

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium prior to the 2023 renovations


Prior to the start of the 2025 Indian Premier League Sunrisers Hyderabad provided ₹5 crore (US$580,000) for further renovations to the stadium. The sum was spent to improve seating, dressing rooms, washrooms, and various other amenities.[16]

Domestic cricket

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The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium after renovations in 2024.

Sunrisers Hyderabad, also known as SRH, is a cricket franchise based in Hyderabad city. The team is owned by Kalanithi Maran of the Sun TV Network. Pat Cummins is the captain of the team and Daniel Vettori is the head coach. The team won the 2016 IPL. So far this stadium has served as the home ground of the Sunrisers and the defunct franchise Deccan Chargers.[17]

In IPL 2019, Hyderabad Cricket Association won the award for best ground and pitch.[18]

In IPL 2024, SRH have recorded their highest team total (277/3) against MI & the highest team total in IPL history at this ground which was later broken by the same team against RCB at Bangalore after a fortnight. Following the conclusion of IPL 2024, Hyderabad Cricket Association won the award for best ground and pitch

Records and Statistics

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Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in a night time match during the 2025 IPL

Test records

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ODI records

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  • Highest total in the stadium: 350/4 by Australia against India on 05 November 2009[20]
  • Lowest total in the stadium: 175/10 by England against India on 14 October 2011[20]

T20I records

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IPL records

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ spa-aec.com
  2. ^ a b c "Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium - Cricket Ground in Hyderabad, India".
  3. ^ Cricket Records | Records | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad | Test matches | Most hundreds | ESPN Cricinfo
  4. ^ "ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 - Media Guide" (PDF). ICC. Retrieved 19 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b "Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium - Cricket Ground in Hyderabad, India". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 26 September 2023.
  6. ^ "After the match, HCA plays blame game". The Times of India. 17 November 2003. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  7. ^ "The HCA, at least, is grateful - Chandrababu Naidu okayed lease, setting in motion the construction of an exclusive cricket stadium". www.telegraphindia.com. 13 May 2004. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  8. ^ a b "IPL 2014 Venues: Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket stadium, Hyderabad". India Today. 11 April 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  9. ^ 7Cric. "Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium". Poornima University.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ "Hyderabad stadium's pavilion named after VVS Laxman". The Times of India. 23 August 2012. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  11. ^ "Hyderabad Cricket Association in race against time to get lights in order for IPL". The Times of India. 19 March 2013. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  12. ^ "Will stadium canopy block view?". The Hindu. 6 February 2013. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  13. ^ SUBRAHMANYAM, V. V. (23 April 2019). "Gale blows away part of Hyderabad stadium canopy". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  14. ^ "Toilets at main nets being built overnight as Hyderabad races against time to get ready for World Cup". The Times of India. 27 September 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  15. ^ Today, Telangana (27 April 2023). "Uppal stadium to get facelift ahead of World Cup". Telangana Today. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  16. ^ Baleegh, Mohammed (13 March 2025). "IPL 2025: Uppal stadium gets Rs 5 cr upgrade for seats, washrooms and more". The Siasat Daily. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  17. ^ Ravindran, Siddarth (4 December 2009). "Ground realities and more for Hyderabad". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  18. ^ SUBRAHMANYAM, V. V. (13 May 2019). "Pitch-perfect: HCA a winner in this IPL". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 2 November 2023.
  19. ^ a b "IND: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad Cricket Ground Test match team highest innings totals | ESPNcricinfo". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 6 June 2023. Retrieved 17 April 2025.
  20. ^ a b "Result summary in ODIs at IND: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad". espncricinfo.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ a b "Result summary in T20Is at IND: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad". espncricinfo.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ "8th Match (N), Hyderabad, March 27, 2024, Indian Premier League (Tim David 42*, Romario Shepherd 15*, Mayank Markande 0/52) - RESULT, SRH vs MI, 8th Match, Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad, March 27, 2024, live score". ESPNcricinfo. 27 March 2024. Retrieved 27 March 2024.
  23. ^ "IPLT20.com - Indian Premier League Official Website - Results". www.iplt20.com. Retrieved 27 February 2023.
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