Motera Stadium
The Narendra Modi Stadium, commonly known as the Motera Stadium, is a cricket stadium situated inside the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. As of 2021, it is the largest stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of 132,000 spectators. It is owned by the Gujarat Cricket Association and is a venue for Test, ODI, and T20I cricket matches.
The stadium was constructed in 1983 and was first renovated in 2006. It became the regular venue for international matches in the city. In 2015, the stadium was closed and demolished before being completely rebuilt by February 2020, with an estimated cost of ₹800 crore (US$110 million).
Apart from cricket, the stadium has hosted several programs arranged by the Government of Gujarat. It has hosted matches during the 1987, 1996, and 2011 Cricket World Cups. As of 2021, the stadium has hosted 14 Tests, 24 ODIs, and 6 T20I match.
On 24 February 2021, the stadium was renamed as the Narendra Modi Stadium by the Gujarat Cricket Association after the current Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi who is also a Gujarat native and a former chief minister. It hosted its first ever pink ball Test match on 24 February 2021 between India and England.
Records :
Test Match Records
Highest innings total: Sri Lanka 760/7d – India v Sri Lanka, 2nd innings, 16 November 2009
Lowest innings total: India 76 – India v South Africa, 1 inning, 3 April 2008
Highest individual score: Mahela Jayawardene 275 (Balls: 435 4×27 6×1) – Sri Lanka v India, 16 November 2009
Best bowling:
(in an innings) Kapil Dev 9/83 – India v West Indies, 12 November 1983
(in a match) Axar Patel 11/70 – India v England, 13 February 2021
Most runs: Rahul Dravid (India) 771 Runs (Mat:7 Inn:14 HS:222 Ave:59.30 SR:49.10 100×3 50×1), Sachin Tendulkar – 642 runs, VVS Laxman – 574 runs
Most wickets: Anil Kumble (India) 36 Wickets (Mat:7 Runs:964 BBI:7/115 BBM:10/233 Ave:26.77 Econ:2.29 SR:70.1 5W/I:3 10W/M:1), Harbhajan Singh- 29 wickets, Kapil Dev – 14 wickets
One Day International match records
Highest total: South Africa 365/2 – India v South Africa, 1st innings, 27 February 2010
Lowest total: Zimbabwe 85 – Zimbabwe v West Indies, 1st innings, 8 October 2006
Highest individual score: Sourav Ganguly 144 (Balls:152 4×8 6×6) – India v Zimbabwe, 5 December 2000
Best bowling: Mitchell Johnson 4/19 (9.2 overs) – Australia v Zimbabwe, 21 February 2011
Most runs: Chris Gayle – 316 runs, Sachin Tendulkar – 215 runs
Most wickets: Kapil Dev (India) 10 Wickets (Mat:6 Runs:156 Best:3/26 Ave:15.60 Econ:3.04), Lasith Malinga – 7 wickets, Chris Gayle- 6 wickets
How to get there
By Road: Gujarat has one of the better-developed road networks in India. Ahmedabad is well connected with all major cities and towns by road. Prominent bus stops are located at Gitamandir near Kalupur Railway Station and Paldi. Regular bus services are available by Gujarat state transport buses and private operators to all the major destinations of the state.
By Rail: The main railway station is located in the Kalupur area. This station falls under the prominent national railway circuit and is connected to all major cities of India. If you are on the western side of the Sabarmati river, then you can go to the Gandhigram station near Ashram road to buy your railway tickets easily.
By Air: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel airport at Ahmedabad is an international airport with direct flights to USA, UK, Singapore, Dubai and other international hubs. Numerous domestic flights are also operational from here.
