The Delhi Cricket Stadium, also known as Arun Jaitley Stadium, features a batting-friendly pitch with square boundaries of around 65 meters and straight boundaries of 68 meters. This small boundary size, combined with a quick outfield, makes it ideal for batsmen, contributing to high-scoring matches and thrilling contests.
From Feroz Shah Kotla to Arun Jaitley Stadium – The History of this Ground:
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, established in 1883, is one of India’s oldest cricket grounds. Previously known as Feroz Shah Kotla, its name originates from the nearby fort built by Ferozeshah Tughlaq in the 14th century. Renamed to honor Arun Jaitley, a former DDCA President, the stadium underwent significant modernization under his leadership.
Famed for hosting iconic matches and nurturing cricket legends, the venue boasts an unbeaten 37-year record for the Indian team in Test matches, cementing its legacy in cricketing history.
Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium Size, Capacity and Boundary Length:
The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is renowned for its small boundaries, making it a batting haven. The square boundaries measure about 65 meters, while the straight ones are approximately 68 meters. Despite its compact size, the stadium accommodates 35,200 spectators and features stands named after cricket legends like Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, and Gautam Gambhir.
The venue boasts two bowling ends—Stadium End and Pavilion End—and honors former players with dressing rooms named after Raman Lamba and Prakash Bhandari. Its setup and legacy make it a unique and cherished cricketing ground in India.
Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium – Pitch Report, Weather and Ground Conditions:
The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium is famously batting-friendly, complemented by short boundaries that favor high-scoring limited-overs matches. However, as the pitch dries, it begins to support spin bowlers, adding complexity for batters.
The stadium also has a blemish in its history. In an India vs. Sri Lanka ODI on December 27, 2009, the match was abandoned due to dangerous pitch conditions, leading the ICC to impose a 12-month ban on the venue. Despite this, it remains a celebrated cricketing ground.
Best Moments at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi:
1952: Hemu Adhikari and Ghulam Ahmed’s Record Tenth Wicket Stand
In a memorable Test match against Pakistan, Hemu Adhikari and Ghulam Ahmed etched their names in history with a stunning 111-run partnership for the tenth wicket. This extraordinary effort remains the highest tenth-wicket stand in Test cricket, a record that has endured through decades, showcasing their grit and determination.
1965: S Venkataraghavan’s Debut Brilliance
In 1983, Sunil Gavaskar etched his name in cricketing history by scoring his 29th Test century at the Delhi Cricket Stadium, equaling Sir Don Bradman’s record for the most Test centuries at the time. This milestone solidified Gavaskar’s legacy as one of the greatest batters in cricket history.
1999: Anil Kumble’s Perfect 10
In 1999, Anil Kumble made cricketing history at the Arun Jaitley Stadium by claiming all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan. This extraordinary feat made him only the second bowler, after Jim Laker, to achieve a perfect 10 in Test cricket, cementing his legacy as a spin-bowling legend.
2005: Sachin Tendulkar Breaks Sunil Gavaskar’s Record
In December 2005, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, Sachin Tendulkar achieved a historic milestone by scoring his 35th Test century against Sri Lanka. This iconic innings surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the most Test centuries, further solidifying Tendulkar’s legendary status in cricket history.
The Home Ground of the Delhi Capitals:
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, home to the Delhi Capitals, features a batting-friendly pitch and a quick outfield. Fast bowlers enjoy initial assistance, while spinners come into play as the surface dries. With an average first-innings score of 165 in IPL matches, it offers balanced contests.
Surprisingly, Delhi Capitals have a poor home record, winning only 32 of 76 games (less than 50%) at this venue, highlighting their struggles to capitalize on familiar conditions.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Cricket Records:
Test Records:
| TEST RECORDS | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| First Test Match | 10/11/1948 |
| Total Test Matches Played | 35 |
| Highest Team Innings | 644/8 dec (West Indies vs. India, 06/02/1959) |
| Highest Individual Score | 243 (Virat Kohli vs. Sri Lanka, 02/12/2017) |
| Best Bowling (Innings) | 10/74 (Anil Kumble vs. Pakistan, 04/02/1999) |
| Best Bowling (Match) | 14/149 (Anil Kumble vs. Pakistan, 04/02/1999) |
| Most Test Runs | Sachin Tendulkar – 759 runs (avg. 42.17 in 19 innings) |
| Most Test Wickets | Anil Kumble – 58 wickets (in 7 matches) |
T20I Records:
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| First T20 Match | 23/03/2016 |
| T20I Matches Played | 7 |
| Highest Team Total | 212/3 by South Africa vs. India on 09/06/2022 |
| Highest Individual Score | 80 runs by Rohit Sharma (India) and Shikhar Dhawan (India) vs. New Zealand on 01/11/2017 |
| Best Bowling Figures | 4/28 by Chris Jordan (England) vs. Sri Lanka on 26/03/2016 |
| Most T20I Runs at the Stadium | Jason Roy (England) – 125 runs at an average of 41.67 in 3 innings with a strike rate of 138.89 |
| Most T20I Wickets | Chris Jordan (England) – 6 wickets in 3 Matches |
Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL Records:
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Matches Played | 84 |
| Highest Team Total | 231 by Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) vs. Kings XI Punjab (2011) |
| Highest Individual Score | 128 runs by Chris Gayle (Royal Challengers Bangalore) vs Delhi Daredevils (2012) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 5/13 by Lasith Malinga (Mumbai Indians) vs Delhi Daredevils (2011) |
| Most IPL Runs at the Arun Jaitley Stadium | David Warner – 1047 runs at an average of 29.91 in 35 innings |
| Most Wickets at the Delhi Stadium | Amit Mishra – 58 wickets |