Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow: History, Pitch and Key Matches

Overview

The Bharat Ratna Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is named after the late Indian Prime Minister, and it is usually shortened to Ekana Stadium. It opened in 2017 in Lucknow and is among the largest stadiums in the country, with a capacity of around 50,000.

It was built to give Uttar Pradesh a modern venue and has since staged both international and franchise fixtures. The Lucknow-based franchise in the IPL has used it as its home ground.

Pitch and conditions

The ground is known for its black-soil and red-soil pitches, which can play differently from match to match. Surfaces have often been slow and low, which can help spinners and make scoring difficult for the batters, particularly in the middle overs.

Memorable matches

The first international at the ground was a T20I between India and West Indies in November 2018, which India won, with Rohit Sharma scoring 111 not out.

Ekana hosted several matches in the 2023 men’s World Cup, including India’s victory over England by 100 runs, which was a low-scoring game on a slow pitch.

Wider role

The stadium has also been used for domestic matches, and it remains one of the main venues in north India. As with many newer grounds, its role in the international calendar may change over time.