In India, cricket is not just a sport; it’s a phenomenon that unites people across the nation. At the heart of this passion for sports, India is home to some great stadiums, one of which is the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. The stadium is located in Hyderabad and has been the home ground of Sunrisers Hyderabad for ages now.
Whether you are a fan of the sport or someone keen on understanding its significance, this article will provide a detailed exploration of the stadium, covering its history, infrastructure, key features, and more.
About Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is one of the prominent Cricket stadiums located in Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana. The state is known for its unique and diversified culture. The stadium is widely recognised for hosting international matches as well as serving as the home ground for the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL. The stadium was inaugurated in 2005 and was built to provide the Hyderabad Cricket Association with a dedicated venue. It was previously named Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium.
A Quick Overview
| Stadium Name | Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium |
| Known As | Uppal Stadium |
| Pavilion | 4 |
| Opening Year | 2003 |
| Capacity | 39000 Or upto 55,000 |
| Located In | Hyderabad, Telangana |
| First T20I match | December 06, 2019 |
| First ODI match | November 16, 2005 |
| First test match | November 12, 2010 |
| Home team | Hyderabad Cricket Team and Hyderabad Women’s Cricket Team |
| Owner | Hyderabad Cricket Association |
Architect, Design And Seating Arrangement
- The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad was designed by renowned architect Sashi Prabhu. It combines both modern architectural techniques with functional sports infrastructure and open-bowl structure spanning 24-acre .
- The seating is divided into multiple tiers to ensure unobstructed views from every seat, with pre-cast concrete speeding up construction.
- The planners in the stadium are divided into multiple tiers, including general, premium corporate and VIP sections.
- The stadium was designed to accommodate approximately 55,000 spectators.
- The authorities allocated separate seating zones for players, media and dignitaries to ensure smooth operations during the matches.
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Boundary Length
The stadium has boundary dimensions that generally favour making it a venue for high-scoring matches. Here is the boundary length of Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium:
| Boundary Direction | Length (Approx.) |
| Straight | 72–75 meters |
| Square | 66–70 meters |
| Leg side | 63 meters |
| Off side | 70 meters |
| Behind (Back) wickets | 55–58 meters |
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Weather
According to sources, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is partly sunny, and it has an average temperature of 27 degrees and 69% humidity. It changes throughout the day, and here is the detailed information on the weather:
- Wind: 9 mph, coming from the west-northwest
- Cloud cover: 46%
- Visibility: 5 miles
- Pressure: 30 inches
- Precipitation: None currently
- UV index: 7 (moderate to high)
History and Evolution of Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
- The aim behind creating such world-class sporting infrastructure in Hyderabad is.
- The stadium was inaugurated in 2003, and since then it has hosted numerous high-profile matches and events. Before this, the stadium was known as Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, and it was owned by the State Sports Authority, limiting HCA’s Control.
- Then, in the same year, HCA(Hyderabad Cricket Association) pitched to the state government to build a Stadium at Uppal, and their proposal was approved by the state government.
- The construction site was chosen, and a title-rights auction was held, won by Visaka Industries; thus, the stadium was initially named “Visaka International Cricket Stadium”.
- Its main construction began in 2003, and it was completed in the year 2005. Then it also hosted its first-ever international match, which was an ODI in November 2005 between South Africa and India.
- The name of the stadium was changed in 2005 to its current name after negotiation with Visaka Industries for the remaining rights.
- Now, the stadium is the ground for several matches held and upcoming matches in IPL as well as international matches
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium IPL Records
Given below are the IPL records for the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium:
Match Played:
| Record Category | Team/Player | Details |
| Highest Team Total | Team | 286/6 (Sunrisers Hyderabad) |
| Lowest Team Total | Team | 80 (Delhi Capitals) |
| Highest Individual Score | Player | 126 (David Warner) |
| Most Runs (Career at Stadium) | Player | David Warner |
| Most Wickets (Career at Stadium) | Player | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (48 wickets) |
| Best Bowling Figures | Player | 6/12 (Alzarri Joseph) |
| Matches Played (IPL Matches) | Team | 82 matches |
| Batting First Win % | Team | 41.4% (34 wins out of 82 matches) |
| Chasing Team Win % | Team | 57.3% (47 wins out of 82 matches) |
| Total Runs Scored (IPL Matches) | Team | 26,224 runs over 82 matches |
| Boundaries Count | Team | 3,235 boundaries (970 sixes, 2,265 fours) |
Summary of Key Records for International Format
Here is the record summary of the International scores made in Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.
Test Matches
| Record Category | Details |
| Highest Team Total | 687/6 declared |
| Lowest Team Total | 127 all out |
| Highest Individual Score | 225 runs |
| Best Bowling Figures | 6/31 (innings), 12 wickets (match) |
| Most Runs (Player) | 510 runs |
| Most Wickets (Player) | 27 wickets |
ODI
| Record Category | Details |
| Highest Team Total | 350/4 |
| Lowest Team Total | 175 all out |
| Highest Individual Score | 146 runs |
| Best Bowling Figures | 5/29 |
T20I
| Record Category | Details |
| Highest Team Total | 297/6 |
| Lowest Team Total | 164/7 |
| Highest Individual Score | 122 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 4/12 |
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Last Match Scorecard
The last match held in the stadium was on May 5, 2025. The match was part of the Indian Premier League 2025. And it happened between its home team, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Delhi Capitals. Let’s have a look at the scorecard of this match:
1st Innings Stats
| Batting | Dismissal | R | B | M | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Karun Nair | c †Ishan Kishan b Cummins | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Faf du Plessis | c †Ishan Kishan b Cummins | 3 | 8 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 37.5 |
| Abishek Porel | c †Ishan Kishan b Cummins | 8 | 10 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 80 |
| KL Rahul † | c †Ishan Kishan b Unadkat | 10 | 14 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 71.42 |
| Axar Patel (c) | c Cummins b Patel | 6 | 7 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 85.71 |
| Tristan Stubbs | not out | 41 | 36 | 69 | 4 | 0 | 113.88 |
| Vipraj Nigam | run out (Verma/Zeeshan Ansari) | 18 | 17 | 22 | 1 | 1 | 105.88 |
| Ashutosh Sharma | c Manohar b Malinga | 41 | 26 | 35 | 2 | 3 | 157.69 |
| Mitchell Starc | not out | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100 |
2nd Innings Stats
| Bowling | O | M | R | W | ECON | 0s | 4s | 6s | WD | NB |
| Pat Cummins | 4 | 0 | 19 | 3 | 4.75 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Jaydev Unadkat | 4 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 3.25 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Harshal Patel | 4 | 0 | 36 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Eshan Malinga | 4 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zeeshan Ansari | 3 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 10 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Abhishek Sharma | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Recent Developments And Matches Held In The Stadium
This year, in 2025, there were 9 IPL Matches that took place in the stadium, which also included two key fixtures.
In the year 2023, the stadium hosted its first-ever ICC event. This took place during the time of the 2023 Cricket World Cup. It was marked as a significant event that happened in the stadium. The stadium continues to set benchmarks, winning awards for best pitch and ground quality in consecutive IPL seasons.
Recent Matches Held
| Date | Match | Result |
| Mar 23, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals | SRH won by 44 runs |
| Mar 27, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | LSG won by 5 wickets |
| Apr 6, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans | GT won by 7 wickets |
| Apr 12, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings | SRH won by 8 wickets |
| Apr 23, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians | MI won by 7 wickets |
| May 5, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals | No result |
| May 10, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Match completed |
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Pitch Report
Pitch Nature Or Characteristics
- The pitch is suitable for a Flat batting track with good pace and bounce. And also, it is good for batting but assists pacers predominantly; some assistance to spinners as the pitch dries.
- Boundaries of the stadium are relatively short, which contributes to a high-scoring environment. Especially in the limited-overs formats like IPL and One-day Internationals. Pacers are dominant wicket-takers; on the other hand, spinners get assistance as the pitch dries.
- Teams here prefer bowling first due to conditions favouring chasing. And, the surface can slow down and offer some turns later in the match.
| Criterion | Data |
| Matches Played (IPL 2025) | 5 |
| Matches Won Batting 1st | 1 |
| Matches Won Bowling 1st | 4 |
| No Result | 0 |
| Average 1st Innings Score | 203.2 |
| Average 2nd Innings Score | 196.2 |
| Average Run Rate | 10.67 runs per over |
| % of Wickets by Pacers | 81.81% |
| % of Wickets by Spinners | 18.18% |
International Matches Held In Stadium
Over the course of time, the stadium has hosted many international matches:
| Format | Date | Match | Result |
| ODI | Apr 2, 2005 | India vs South Africa | India won by 8 wickets |
| Test | Nov 3-7, 2010 | India vs New Zealand | India won by an innings and 115 runs |
| ODI | Nov 5, 2009 | Australia vs India | Australia won (highest ODI total at venue: 350/4) |
| T20I | Oct 12, 2024 | India vs Bangladesh | India won by 133 runs (highest T20I total: 297/6) |
| Test | Feb 2017 | India vs Bangladesh | Highest Test total: India 687/6 declared |
| ODI | Oct 10, 2023 | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Pakistan won |
| ODI | Oct 9, 2023 | Netherlands vs New Zealand | New Zealand won by 99 runs |
IPL Matches Held In Stadium
| Date | Teams | Result |
| March 23, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Rajasthan Royals | SRH won by 44 runs |
| March 27, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Lucknow Super Giants | LSG won by 5 wickets |
| April 6, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Gujarat Titans | GT won by 7 wickets |
| April 12, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Punjab Kings | SRH won by 8 wickets |
| April 23, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians | MI won by 7 wickets |
| May 5, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Delhi Capitals | Match Result not available |
| May 10, 2025 | Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders | Match Result not available |
| April 27, 2013 | Delhi Daredevils vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | SRH won by 8 wickets |
| May 1, 2013 | Delhi Daredevils vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | SRH won by 31 runs |
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium Tickets
Given below are a few easy steps through which someone can book tickets of the matches to watch in the stadium both online and offline. Let’s have a look at the steps.
Online Tickets
- To book any tickets in the stadium, first someone needs to visit ticket vendors who sell tickets online like BookMyShow, District By Zomato,o etc.
- Then navigate to the tickets section and select the match you want to watch in the stadium.
- Choose your preferred seating category as per your budget and availability.
- Now, select the number of tickets you want to buy and move forward.
- Proceed the payment page and choose your preferred payment method connected through the platform.
- Now you will receive a confirmation message via email or SMS.
- Either download the e-ticket or choose physical ticket delivery at your doorstep.
- Carry your ticket with a valid photo ID to enter the stadium on match day.
- Arrive early to enjoy pre-match activities and avoid the last-minute rush.
Offline Ticket Booking
- Visit the stadium first, then its official box office on match days.
- Choose your preferred seating category from the options available.
- Done your payment in cash or as permitted by the ticket counter.
- Now, collect your physical tickets immediately.
- Same as online tickets, carry your ticket with valid photo ID proof to enter the stadium on match day.
Conclusion
The Rajiv Gandhi Stadium has been a great host to many teams since its inauguration and also stands as a premier cricketing venue. with its state-of-the-art infrastructure, rich history, and vibrant atmosphere. From hosting iconic matches and record-breaking performances to being home to the Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, the stadium continues to play a significant role in shaping the cricketing landscape of the country.
Disclaimer: This blog is only here to give you information. Even though we try hard to give you correct and up-to-date facts about Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, like records, schedules, and ticket details, we can’t promise that everything is totally right or complete. The groups in charge can change when games happen, stats, and if tickets are available. We suggest that readers double-check important things through official sources or websites before they plan trips or get tickets. You are the one who must answer for how you use this information.
Frequently Asked Questions
A1. It is primarily a batting-friendly pitch with good pace and bounce but offers some assistance to bowlers.
A2. Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is located in Hyderabad, Telangana.
A3. The average first innings score in T20 matches at this stadium is around 203 runs (IPL 2025 data).
A4. It is considered a big stadium with a seating capacity of around 55,000 and moderately large boundary dimensions.
Article Code: Srv-CBR-13
