Holkar Stadium: History, Capacity, Pitch Report, Records and Interesting Facts

Holkar Cricket Stadium, located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, is a very well-known cricket ground in India. This ground is particularly recognized for being able to produce high scoring matches because of the short boundaries and the good batting surface. This stadium also produces exciting international cricket matches and has many passionate cricket fans. The stadium hosts Test Matches, ODIs, T20Is and IPL games.

The Holkar Stadium is a significant location in Indian cricket, operated under the management of the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA). The stadium has hosted numerous exceptional performances from some of the best cricketers in India, including Virender Sehwag, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Mayank Agarwal. With its rich past, incredible cricket statistics, and vibrant environment, Holkar Stadium is a fascinating place to visit for all cricket fans.

Whether you’re looking for information on Holkar Stadium’s capacity, pitch report, location, top score, or international cricket history, you’ll find everything you need in this guide.

Holkar Stadium Overview

Holkar Cricket Stadium is situated on Race Course Road in Indore. It serves as a home venue for Madhya Pradesh cricket and has hosted several memorable matches involving the Indian national team.

History of Holkar Stadium

Cricket has been played in Indore since the late 19th century. Cricket developed at Yeshwant Club and became one of the main centers for cricket within the Holkar State.

The MPCA says that the first stone of the present Yeshwant Club was placed in 1924. By 1926, the club, along with its cricket ground, was established through the support of Maharaja Yeshwant Rao Holkar.

Several of the most notable domestic matches took place at this site. One such match was a Ranji Trophy match played in March of 1946. This match between Holkar and Mysore saw six Holkar players score centuries as the entire Holkar squad scored a combined total of 912 runs.

With the development of cricket in the area, there was a need for improved facilities at the ground to host larger events and international games. In 1984, the State Government transferred ownership of the property to the MPCA for use as a facility to promote cricket.

The Association started building a state-of-the-art stadium from 1997-98. The construction of the stadium happened over time. First came the Pavilion, then the Spectator Stands were built.

The stadium was prepared to hold international cricket matches by 2006. On April 15, 2006, India hosted England in an ODI, which was a major event for cricket in Indore.

Holkar Cricket Stadium became the first stadium to host international cricket matches, domestic cricket tournaments, and Indian Premier League (IPL) matches.

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Holkar Stadium Capacity and Facilities

Holkar Stadium can accommodate about 27,000 people. While there are other larger cricket stadiums in India, Holkar Stadium provides a great environment for viewing the bigger matches.

The size of the stadium is smaller than most other stadiums which makes it easy to watch the game. As well as being able to see the game clearly when India plays on the ground, the fans are able to fill up the seats with enthusiasm and support for their favorite players.

The MPCA has also improved the facilities that are used by both players and spectators as well as match officials. The stadium has seating for spectators; it also has pavilion facilities; it has flood lights; and it has all of the other equipment needed to put on large-scale cricket matches.

The Association has given names to several of their exhibition areas, gallery spaces, and entrance ways based on prominent individuals in both Indian Cricket and Madhya Pradesh Cricket.

These enhancements have helped make Holkar Stadium an established stop for international cricket matches in India.

Holkar Stadium Location

Holkar Cricket Stadium Pitch Report

The pitch at Holkar Stadium is usually regarded as being conducive to batting, especially during limited-overs matches. This is due to the smaller size of the field of play and the fact that the ball can be hit far and fast because of these factors, making this a desirable place for players who like to hit the ball with power.

However, the pitch behaves differently during each match. The way it behaves is determined by how well the pitch was prepared, what type of weather is occurring, the type of match being played (i.e. Test, ODI, etc.), and when the match is taking place.

ODI Pitch Report

The Holkar Stadium has seen some big scores in one day international cricket. If a batsman can get himself set on this pitch he should be able to make runs at a good rate as long as the ball is coming on to the bat well.

The first-batting team will try to establish a high score, while the second-batting team should find the small boundary of the field helpful. However, both teams will ultimately rely on their respective bowling attacks, weather/field conditions, and the difficulty of the target.

T20 Pitch Report

The small boundaries of Holkar Stadium make it possible for batsmen to consistently hit fours and sixes during T20 matches. This is demonstrated by India scoring 260 runs for five wickets when playing against Sri Lanka back in December 2017.

Fast bowlers are capable of making an impression with effective variations, accurately delivered yorkers, and varied delivery speeds. Spin bowlers may also provide some value if the pitch is sticky and/or batsmen are willing to take chances.

Test Pitch Report

The challenges of playing in a Test match can vary from other types of cricket. As the match develops, the playing surface will likely alter. Also, if there are favorable spin conditions during the course of the match, then spin bowlers may play an even larger role.

The Test match record at Holkar Stadium contains two wins for India (against New Zealand in 2016 and Bangladesh in 2019) and one win for Australia (against India in 2023 with nine wickets).

These results demonstrate that the assessment of pitch conditions should be done on a per-match basis, as opposed to assuming that the pitch is consistently favorable to batsmen.

Holkar Cricket Stadium Records and Statistics

Holkar cricket stadium is known for producing many great performances throughout the history of international cricket. There are numerous historical performances that have occurred at this stadium including very high team scores, centuries, and exceptional bowling performances.

These numbers show how many different types of performances have helped establish Holkar Stadium as an important cricket venue. The records may continue to evolve over time, as more matches are played at Holkar Stadium.

Read Also: Sawai Mansingh Stadium || Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket Stadium

Most Memorable Matches at Holkar Stadium

India vs West Indies, 2011 ODI

The stadium’s most well-known match was played on December 8th, 2011, between India and the West Indies for a One Day International (ODI).

India set a massive target of 418 for 5 after Virender Sehwag played a brilliant knock of 219 runs and became the first ever player to achieve a double century in One Day International (ODI) cricket as a captain.

Because of the high score and Sehwag’s great hitting performance, the match continues to be a major part of the history of Holkar Stadium.

India vs Sri Lanka, 2017 T20I

In on December 22, 2017, India and Sri Lanka were involved in a T20 International match at the stadium.

Rohit Sharma had an impressive performance, scoring 118 runs on only 43 balls. His century came off 35 deliveries. KL Rahul contributed to the team’s success by scoring 89 runs.

India posted 260/5 in their innings, giving them an 88-run victory. Rohit’s performance would go down as one of the best T20I knocks ever played at the ground.

India vs Bangladesh, 2019 Test

The Holkar Stadium was the location of a Test Match played by India against Bangladesh in November of 2019.

India posted a total of 493/6 declared in their first innings. Mayank Agarwal scored 243 runs, producing one of the best Test innings ever seen at the ground.

India went on to defeat England by an innings and 130 runs. The match proved that in addition to hosting the high-scoring limited over matches, this venue can also be used for major red-ball cricket matches.

India vs Australia, 2023 Test

The third Test of the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy was played at Holkar Stadium.

In each of their two at bats, India’s offense was less than stellar, as they produced 109 runs and 163 runs respectively. Australia on the other hand had a strong offensive output during their first at bat, producing 197 runs, and then went on to win the game by nine wickets after chasing down a very small number of runs.

Nathan Lyon was the key player with the ball, claiming eight of India’s first innings wickets. This match showed us once again that Holkar Stadium isn’t necessarily a great place to bat in every format.

Top Performance at Holkar Stadium

Top Performance T20I Batting Records at Holkar Stadium, Indore

Top Performance T20I Bowling Records at Holkar Stadium, Indore

Holkar Cricket Stadium Indore Last 10 T20 Matches Results and Records

Best Time to Visit Holkar Stadium

When you plan to attend a game at Holkar Stadium, it is best to check the schedule of games being played there, as well as the local weather forecast.

You can check the BCCI’s official schedule and the MPCA’s website for confirmed fixture dates if you would like to experience the atmosphere of an international cricket match. Keep in mind that ticket purchasing options and access requirements will vary depending upon whether it is an international match or a domestic tournament.

Attendees at afternoon games need to plan ahead for the weather in the area. Those attending evening games should verify when the game starts, and also what the requirements are for entry into the stadium.

In addition to this, purchasing tickets from authorized channels as opposed to non-authorized channels would be beneficial.

Interesting Facts About Holkar Stadium

Here are some interesting facts about the venue:

• The Holkar dynasty, who previously governed the Holkar State, are honored through the name of the stadium.
• The ground has a cricket history dating back to the early twentieth century.
• The first time six Holkar players each hit 100 runs in a single Ranji Trophy game was when they played Mysore in 1946.
• India scored 418 for 5 against West Indies in an ODI in 2011.
• Virender Sehwag scored 219 runs in that famous ODI.
• Rohit Sharma scored a T20I century in only 35 balls against Sri Lanka in 2017.
• The venue hosted its first Test match in October 2016.
• The state of Madhya Pradesh’s cricket association runs the stadium and supports cricket growth throughout the state.

Frequently Asked Questions About Holkar Stadium

Conclusion

Holkar Stadium is an important part of India’s cricket landscape, combining a rich sporting history with memorable international performances. Located in Indore, the venue is known for its compact design, enthusiastic spectators, and potential for exciting high-scoring matches.

From Virender Sehwag’s 219 in the famous 2011 ODI to Rohit Sharma’s 35-ball T20I century and Mayank Agarwal’s 243 in Test cricket, the stadium has witnessed several outstanding individual performances.

Its continued role in international and domestic cricket makes Holkar Stadium a venue worth following for cricket fans. Whether you are researching its capacity, pitch conditions, historic records, or location, the ground offers plenty of interesting stories from Indian cricket.