Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium: Hyderabad’s Cricket Ground

Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is the main cricket ground of Hyderabad, in the Uppal area on the east side of the city. It is run by the Hyderabad Cricket Association and is the home of Hyderabad in domestic cricket and of Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. Locals often call it simply the Uppal Stadium.

History

The stadium opened in 2003 and replaced the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium as the city’s main international venue. It is named after Rajiv Gandhi, the former Prime Minister of India. With a capacity of about 55,000, it was built as a modern ground with floodlights and covered stands, and quickly became a regular host for one-day internationals and, later, Test cricket.

Pitch and conditions

The pitch at Hyderabad is generally regarded as good for batting, with an even bounce and a fast outfield, particularly in limited-overs formats. Seam bowlers can find some assistance early in the innings, and spinners often become more influential as the surface dries out in longer matches. Hot conditions are common for day games, while evening games are often affected by dew.

International and IPL matches

The ground staged its first Test in 2010, against New Zealand, and has since hosted Tests against Australia in 2013 and Bangladesh in 2017, the latter won by India. It was a venue at the 2011 and 2023 men’s World Cups. In the IPL, Sunrisers Hyderabad made 277 for 3 against Mumbai Indians here in March 2024, which was the highest total in the tournament’s history at that time.

The ground in the city

The stadium is a major sporting landmark for Hyderabad and has also held concerts and other events. For cricket supporters in the city, it provides an opportunity to see international sides and IPL games throughout the season.