Arun Jaitley Stadium

Jam-packed Arun Jaitely Stadium [X.com]

The Arun Jaitley Stadium is the second oldest cricketing venue in India having been established as early as 1882.

Formerly called the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium named after the nearby Kotla Fort, the iconic ground holds a rich and prestigious history and is much-celebrated amongst fans. A traditional venue with a capacity of 35,000, the Kolta ground has so far hosted 35 red-ball, 26 One-Day Internationals (ODI), and 7 T20 Internationals (T20I) between 1948 and 2023.

The Arun Jaitley Stadium also has the distinction of hosting women's international matches across all three formats, making it one of the few in India to do so — Two women's Tests, six WT20Is, and two WODIs. 

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Unveiling the Legacy of Arun Jaitley Stadium

Birdseye view of Kotla [X.com]

Located on the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Delhi, the Kolta ground was built in 1882 and came into commission in 1883.

The stadium is owned and run by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DCCA) and amounts to a total cost of INR 114.5 Crore as of 2023. The venue is the home ground for the Delhi state cricket team and Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals, apart from hosting India internationally. 

The ground first got its major facelift around 2004, which carried up until 2014, when the grass banks sitting was converted into stands, and proper pavilions were built. 

The stadium was renamed in 2019 after former DDCA chairman Arun Jaitley, and in 2017 three stands were rechristened as Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, and Gautam Gambhir stand, respectively. A gate of the Kotla was named after former Delhi player Virender Sehwag as well. 

 In 2019, Virat Kohli Pavilion was inaugurated amidst much discontent. The ground has hosted several high-profile tournaments like the World Cup 1987, World Cup 1996, World Cup 2011, and World T20 2016.

Cricket Legacy: Iconic Matches and Moments

Anil Kumble record figures of 10 for 74 [X.com]

• The ground has been privy to several iconic moments and knocks, but none bigger than former India captain Anil Kumble's record-making achievement. On a crumbly pitch, Kumble singlehandedly rattled a strong Pakistan batting line-up in 1997, grabbing all 10 wickets in a single innings, second after England's Jim Laker. 
• Former captain Sunil Gavaskar levelled Australia's Don Bradman's world-record tally of 29 Test hundreds in 1983, slamming a century against West Indies. 
• Former skipper Sachin Tendulkar etched history in Test record books, scoring his 35th red-ball hundred at Kotla in 2005, going past Gavaskar's tally of 34. 

 Arun Jaitley Stadium ODI Records And Stats

Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report Batting or Bowling ?

Centre wickets at Arun Jaitley Stadium [X.com]

Traditionally the track at Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium was batting-friendly and assisted spinners as the game progressed. The General conscientious has been that the track is good for batting and produces engaging encounters until the mid-2000s.

Over the years, the pitch has transformed into a low-and-slow surface, making batting tough from the get-go. The stadium faced sanctions in 2009 after the track was found dangerous during an ODI match between India and Sri Lanka, which saw the venue being banned for one year.

Despite regular attempts to reclaim old glory, the track at Arun Jaitley Stadium has failed to find lost glory. The black-soiled pitch becomes crumbly and dusty as play progresses.

Arun Jaitley Stadium - Weather Report

An overcast Kotla stadium [X.com]

As is the case in many parts of India, weather conditions play a role in the outcome of the match. Delhi being situated in the northern region, is mainly affected by hot sunny, and extremely foggy conditions during India's home season.

The scorching sun ensures that the track crumbles and opens up cracks for bowlers to exploit, while during winter the cold and foggy conditions help fast bowlers achieve movement in the air during Test matches. 

Dew also takes effect at Kotla given its proximity to the Yamuna river, which sees a lot of comfortable run-chases in limited-overs cricket.

In 2017,  Test between Sri Lanka and India was disrupted following unforeseen air quality around Arun Jaitley Stadium, where forced BCCI to allot Delhi red-ball games during winters. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Question 1:What Makes Arun Jaitley Stadium Special?

The Arun Jaitley Stadium has a rich history in Indian cricket, that has witnessed several records and memorable moments take place. 

Question 2: How does the pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium behave?

The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium is low-slow and dual-paced on most occasions. 

Question 3: Can you suggest nearby attractions to visit along with a match at Arun Jaitley Stadium?

Some of the nearby tourist places around Arun Jaitley Stadium are as follows:

• Red Fort
• India Gate
• Rajghat
• Gurudwara Bangla Sahib
• Jama Masjid
• Delhi Zoo

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