Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore: History, Pitch and Memorable Matches
A guide to Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore, a high-scoring Madhya Pradesh venue known for Sehwag’s 219 and India’s 399 against Australia.
Overview
Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore is the main international ground in Madhya Pradesh. It takes its name from the Holkar dynasty, the former rulers of the Indore region, and it is the home venue of the Madhya Pradesh state team in domestic cricket.
Over the years the ground has staged Tests, one-day internationals and Twenty20 internationals, and it has built a reputation as one of the more batter-friendly venues in India.
Pitch and conditions
The surface has traditionally offered true bounce and quick outfield speeds, and the boundaries are not especially large. Batters who commit to their shots are usually rewarded, and totals in white-ball cricket here have often been very high. In Test cricket, however, the surface has not always been consistent, and one Test played here in 2023 drew criticism over the quality of the pitch.
Memorable matches
In December 2011 Virender Sehwag struck 219 against West Indies at this ground, which was then the highest individual score in men’s ODI cricket. In December 2017 Rohit Sharma hit a hundred in just 35 balls against Sri Lanka, equalling the fastest century in men’s T20 internationals.
In September 2023 India made 399 for 5 against Australia in an ODI at Indore, one of the highest totals in their ODI history. The ground also hosted India’s first Test of the 2016-17 home season against New Zealand, a match India won by a large margin.
Place in Indian cricket
Holkar Stadium has also been a regular home for Madhya Pradesh in the Ranji Trophy and other domestic competitions, and the state side reached its first Ranji Trophy title in 2021-22 after a long wait, with matches in the knockout stage played in Bengaluru. For many years the ground has been one of the main centres of the sport in central India.
It also continues to host franchise cricket and international fixtures when the schedule allows, and its mix of strong batting conditions and a lively crowd makes it a popular stop on the home calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Holkar Cricket Stadium?
It is in Indore, the largest city in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh.
What is the ground known for?
It is best known for Virender Sehwag’s ODI double century in 2011 and for high-scoring white-ball matches.
Is the pitch good for batting?
Generally yes, especially in limited-overs cricket, with true bounce and a fast outfield, although Test pitches here have varied in quality.