Top 11 smallest cricket stadium in India

Cricket is considered a religion rather than a sport in India, uniting millions of fans across the country. Since the game earned popularity in the nation, it has transcended barriers of age, language, or culture. It is more than a source of entertainment; people find it a source of hope, inspiration, and pride. 

Despite the popularity of the name, many may not be aware of which is the smallest cricket stadium in India. While the largest stadiums in the country often steal the spotlight, these smaller venues hold a special place in the hearts of cricket enthusiasts. In this article, we explore 11 of the smallest cricket stadiums in India.  

List of India’s smallest cricket stadiums

Let’s take a closer look at each stadium.

Brabourne Stadium, Mumbai

The Brabourne Stadium, located in Churchgate, Mumbai, is the home ground of Mumbai men’s and women’s cricket teams. The stadium, which is owned by the Cricket Club of India (CCI), hosted its first match on 9 December 1948. The last match was contested on 20 December 2022. It has hosted Test matches from 1937 until 1946 and hasn’t hosted any Tests after the Wankhede Stadium was built. It has also hosted some Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

Moti Bagh Stadium, Vadodara

Moti Bagh Stadium in Vadodara is one of the oldest cricket stadiums in India. The stadium, which is part of Laxmi Vilas Palace grounds, is the home ground of the Baroda cricket team. The stadium has hosted several international matches and Ranji Trophy matches, India’s premier domestic competition.

Green Park Stadium, Kanpur  

The stadium, which is the home ground for the Uttar Pradesh cricket team, was named after a British woman named Madam Green, who used to go horse riding there. Run under the control of the Uttar Pradesh Sports Department, this stadium has hosted both Test and ODI matches. This was the venue for India’s historic first Test win over Australia in 1959. This stadium has also hosted India’s 500th match in the longest format of the game. 

Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore

Holkar Stadium, located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, is owned and operated by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association. It is the home ground of Madhya Pradesh men’s and women’s teams. It was formerly named as Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground, and it was renamed in 2010 after the Holkar Dynasty. It has hosted all formats of international cricket matches.

Nehru Stadium, Kochi 

Also known as Kaloor International Stadium, it rarely hosts a cricket match as it is the home ground of the Kerala Ranji cricket team as well as the Kerala football team and Indian Super League (ISL) side Kerala Blasters. Nehru Stadium in Kochi has hosted India’s first match after the retirement of legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar. It has hosted a total of 10 One-Day Internationals (ODIS) matches. 

Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, Surat 

Lalabhai Contractor Stadium, owned by Surat District Cricket Association, hosted its first match in 1993– a Duleep Trophy match between West Zone and East Zone. The stadium has also hosted other domestic competitions, including the Ranji Trophy and the Irani Cup. The first international cricket match hosted at this stadium was during South Africa’s 2019 tour of India. During the 15th edition of IPL, Chennai Super Kings selected this ground for their training. 

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Dehradun

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Dehradun is the home ground of the Uttarakhand cricket team. It hosted the first match, organised International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2018. The stadium, which is named after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, has hosted a Test match and T20I matches.

Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala

This stadium has become a tourist attraction as it lies nestled in the lap of the mesmerising Himalayan mountain range. The stadium owned by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association is the home ground of both women’s and men’s teams of the state. This stadium has hosted five matches during the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, including India’s match against New Zealand.

Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium, Visakhapatnam 

Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium is a multipurpose stadium located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The stadium has hosted both women’s and men’s international matches. Legendary India skipper MS Dhoni scored his maiden ODI hundred at this atrium when Pakistan toured India in 2005. Rohit Sharma and Mayank Agarwal also scored their maiden Test centuries at this ground. This venue has also witnessed Yashasvi Jaiswal’s double century in Tests in 2024 against England.

Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati 

Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, owned and operated by the Assam Cricket Association, is officially named Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium. This stadium has hosted both domestic and international cricket matches. It has become the 49th international venue for India, with the first international match played at this stadium being a T20I between India and Australia in 2017, where the tourists won. Inaugural IPL champions Rajasthan Royals, played two home games at this stadium as their second home venue during the 2023 season. 

MCA Stadium, Pune

MCA Stadium in Pune is another stadium which is owned and operated by Maharashtra Cricket Association. This stadium is located on the outskirts of Pune in Gahunje village near the Mumbai–Pune Expressway. This arena is designed like a deep bowl by Michael Hopkins of Hopkins Architects. Meanwhile, the shape of its ground is round, with a Bermuda grass surface. It has hosted Test, ODI, and T20I matches.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discussed which is the smallest cricket stadium in India. The 11 stadiums in this list are categorised on the basis of their ground length and boundary dimensions. All these venues may lack the majesty of iconic stadiums, but they make up for it with their vibrant energy and historical significance. These stadium reminds cricket enthusiasts that cricket thrives in any corner of a country like India, where this sport is considered as a religion.