Top 5 Largest Cricket Stadiums in India – Holy Grounds of Worship

India is a land of many religions, ethnicities and cultures. Curiously, what brings together all these diverse groups is a sport that has been woven into the social fabric of this country for years.

Following the colonial legacy, Cricket has become an exceedingly important cultural signifier for India and its worshipping fanatics.

Here, Cricket becomes a religion while Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Kohli, Dhoni, Azharuddin, Ganguly and Dravid, among a few others, become its demigods.

Stadiums become holy grounds of worship filled with sounds of chanting.

This intense zeal and passion for a sport is nowhere to be found except in the galis and houses of our land which is also home to some of the world’s largest cricket stadiums that are situated in India.

Here are the Top 5 Largest Cricket Stadiums in India

Narendra Modi Stadium

Situated on the river banks of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, and formerly known as Motera or Sardar Patel Stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium is not only India’s but the world’s largest cricket stadium.

It was originally inaugurated in 1982 with a seating capacity of 49,000. It was then redeveloped and inaugurated in 2020 as the Narendra Modi Stadium.

This state-of-the-art project, with world-class infrastructure, pioneering technology and a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators, serves as a shrine for cricket enthusiasts from all around the world.

Since its inauguration, it has hosted prominent matches like the India vs England test series in 2021 and various premiere leagues.

Gujarat Cricket Association also notably lent the stadium for then-US President Mr. Donald Trump’s visit in 2020.

Eden Gardens

Based in Kolkata, West Bengal, Eden Gardens is one of the oldest and most historic international cricket stadiums in India.

It is the second largest cricket stadium in India and the third-largest cricket stadium in the world.

It was inaugurated back in 1864 and has successively incorporated a seating capacity of 68,000 spectators.

However, actual match day attendance has far surpassed this number amounting to a shocking 100,000, proving people’s unending love for the sport.

Known for large passionate crowds of cricket fans, the stadium has hosted high-profile and historic matches including the World Cup, the Asia Cup and the ICC Twenty20s, along with internal matches of the Bengal Cricket Team and Kolkata Knight Riders.

Eden Garden is also known as ‘the Mecca of Indian Cricket’ or ‘cricket’s answer to the Colosseum’. The stadium serves as the headquarters and is owned by the Cricket Association of Bengal.

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium

Located in an eastern suburb of Hyderabad, Telangana, and commonly known as Uppal Stadium, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is operated and owned by the Hyderabad Cricket Association and is named after a former Indian Prime Minister.

It was inaugurated on 25th March 2003 and is the home of Hyderabad’s men’s and women’s cricket teams. The stadium takes up 15 acres of land and is equipped to seat 39,200 spectators.

Its distinctive design and circular structures are known to enhance the viewing experience.

The stadium was mentioned heavily in the news when a recent IPL 2024 match held here between the Sunrisers Hyderabad and Chennai Super Kings became a source of great speculation and extensive reports by platforms such as Economic Times online.

Chinnaswamy Stadium

Located in the city of Bengaluru, Karnataka, M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was established in May 1969 by the sponsorship of the Government of Karnataka.

Named in honour of a former president of the Karnataka State Cricket Association and a notable figure in Indian cricket, the stadium can host up to 33,800 spectators.

M. Chinnaswamy stadium also serves as the home ground for the professional cricket franchise competing in the Indian Premier League, the Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Apart from being a sacred space for cricket lovers, this stadium serves as an environment-friendly specimen for stadiums around the world by being the world’s only solar-powered cricket stadium.

M. A. Chidambaram Stadium

Located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and commonly known as Chepauk Stadium, M. A. Chidambaram Stadium was established in 1916 and is the second oldest cricket ground in India following Eden Gardens.

The stadium is equipped to accommodate 38,200 spectators. Chepauk holds a sacred place in the world of cricket owing to the many historic events it has hosted.

In 1952, India recorded its first-ever test victory against England on this ground. Sachin Tendulkar has amassed more wickets in M.A. Chidambaram than in any other stadium.

In 1983, Sunil Gavaskar scored his 30th test century and outmatched Don Bradman’s record for most centuries in test cricket at this very stadium, solidifying its significance.

Symphony of a Stadium

The ecstatic environment and palpable tension the stadium witnesses during an international match cannot fairly be put into words.

It’s almost surreal when an entire crowd holds their breath, sitting on the edge of their seats while a ball is sailing through the air, heading towards the boundary.

The sheer drama and excitement of watching a match sitting in one of these stadiums has become kind of a cult experience for Indian audiences.

After a World Cup, you see the entire nation celebrating as one or hanging their heads low in disappointment. It’s a cultural event like no other! 

Cricket Stadiums become important sites of national pride and passion in a country like India. These stadiums become cultural landmarks of major historic milestones in the world of cricket.

Stadiums act as central hubs that solidify our place in world cricket while contributing to India’s global reputation as a premier cricketing nation.

They also become training grounds for exceptional athletes who leave a legacy of sportsmanship for future generations.

Players thrive on the high energy and passion provided by the multitude of fans cheering for them and calling out their names.

Matches at these grounds attract tourism from all over the globe, leaving a strong and positive economic impact by contributing to the tourism and hospitality industry.

Today, India is proudly home to the largest cricket stadium and the finest cricketers in the world.