Uttar Pradesh

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium

Lucknow

Ekana Sportz City, Sector 7 Gomti Nagar Ext, Amar Shaheed Path

226010

India

Welcome to the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, fondly known as Ekana Cricket Stadium, a modern cricketing gem in Lucknow, India. Commissioned in 2014 and built in just two years and eight months at a cost of ₹360 crores, it was renamed in 2018 to honor former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. Marking Lucknow’s return to international cricket after 24 years, it hosted its first T20I in 2018 between India and West Indies. With a legacy of hosting the Afghanistan team in 2019 and the 2023 World Cup, Ekana blends cultural unity with sporting excellence. Renowned for its bowler-friendly pitch and vibrant fan energy, this venue captivates cricket lovers globally. Below is an in-depth exploration of its journey, design, iconic matches, and unique charm.

History of the Stadium

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, a landmark in Lucknow’s sporting landscape, was commissioned in 2014 under the leadership of then-Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav. Constructed through a public-private partnership between Ekana Sportz City Pvt. Ltd. and the Lucknow Development Authority, the stadium was built at a cost of approximately ₹360 crores (around $48 million USD at the time) and completed in a remarkable two years and eight months by 2017. The name "Ekana," meaning "unity" in Sanskrit, reflected its vision to unite sports enthusiasts. In 2018, it was renamed to honor former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, a revered figure known for his contributions to Indian politics and culture, following a decision by the Uttar Pradesh government. The stadium marked Lucknow’s return to international cricket after a 24-year gap, with its inaugural international match on November 6, 2018—a T20I where India defeated West Indies. Before its international debut, it hosted the 2017-18 Duleep Trophy final, showcasing domestic talent. In 2019, it served as a temporary home ground for the Afghanistan cricket team, hosting Test, ODI, and T20I matches against West Indies, a significant milestone for the venue. The stadium’s rapid development and high-profile events have cemented its status as a key cricketing hub in northern India.

Location and Accessibility

Situated at Ekana Sportz City, Sector 7, Gomti Nagar Extension, Amar Shaheed Path, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226010, India, the stadium is strategically located in a rapidly developing area of Lucknow. It’s approximately 15 km from the city center, a 30-minute drive via the well-maintained Amar Shaheed Path, a major arterial road. For rail travelers, Gomti Nagar Railway Station (10 km away) is the closest, while Lucknow Junction (Charbagh), a major hub, is 15 km away, offering connectivity to major Indian cities. Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, 25 km from the stadium, is about a 45-minute drive, with taxis, Ola/Uber cabs, and prepaid rentals widely available. Public transport options like buses exist but are less convenient due to limited routes to Gomti Nagar Extension, making private vehicles or cabs preferable, especially on match days when traffic can be heavy. The surrounding Gomti Nagar area is a bustling commercial hub with malls like Phoenix Palassio, restaurants offering Awadhi cuisine, and hotels for visitors. The scenic Gomti River, just a few kilometers away, adds charm, while landmarks like the Ambedkar Memorial Park are within a short drive, enhancing the area’s appeal for tourists.

Architecture and Design

With a seating capacity of 50,000, Ekana Cricket Stadium ranks as India’s fifth-largest international cricket venue, behind iconic grounds like Eden Gardens. Designed by Ekana Sportz City, the stadium combines modern aesthetics with practical functionality, featuring a sleek, open design that prioritizes spectator comfort. The playing field is notable for having the longest straight boundaries in India, measuring up to 80 meters, which challenges batsmen aiming for sixes and favors strategic shot-making. The pitch is predominantly bowler-friendly, with a slow, dry surface that assists spinners, particularly in the latter stages of matches, while pacers can exploit early movement under lights or in overcast conditions. This has led to low-scoring encounters, with T20 averages often between 130–180. The stadium features four state-of-the-art floodlight towers, ensuring seamless day-night matches, and is divided into North End and South End for bowling perspectives. The stands are tiered for unobstructed views, with a mix of general, premium, and VIP seating. Architectural highlights include a minimalist yet striking facade, with green and white accents reflecting cricket’s vibrancy. The design also incorporates accessibility features like ramps and dedicated seating for differently-abled spectators, making it inclusive.

Famous Matches and Events

Ekana Cricket Stadium has hosted a range of high-profile matches since its inception. Its first international fixture on November 6, 2018, saw India defeat West Indies by 71 runs in a T20I, with Rohit Sharma’s unbeaten 111 marking his fourth T20I century—a world record at the time. The stadium gained global prominence during the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, hosting five matches, including India’s dominant 100-run win over England, where Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin starred, and South Africa’s 311/7 against Australia, powered by Quinton de Kock’s century. In the Indian Premier League (IPL), Ekana is the home ground of Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), with memorable moments like Kolkata Knight Riders’ 235/6 in 2023, the highest team total at the venue, and LSG’s lowest score of 108 against Royal Challengers Bangalore. Individual records include KL Rahul’s 540 IPL runs at Ekana and Ravi Bishnoi’s 19 wickets, leveraging the spin-friendly pitch. In 2019, the stadium served as Afghanistan’s home ground, hosting a Test match, three ODIs, and three T20Is against West Indies, a unique chapter in its history. Beyond cricket, Ekana has hosted cultural and ceremonial events, including government functions and local festivals, showcasing its versatility. The stadium’s growing reputation is evident in its selection for major tournaments and its role in elevating Lucknow’s cricketing profile.

Facilities

Ekana Cricket Stadium is equipped with top-tier facilities for spectators, players, and media. Spectators benefit from tiered seating across multiple stands, ensuring excellent views of the action, with options ranging from affordable general stands to premium corporate boxes. Parking facilities are extensive, accommodating thousands of vehicles, with designated wheelchair-accessible spaces, though early arrival is advised on match days due to high demand. Food courts offer a diverse menu, from traditional Ascott’s Pavilion to local Awadhi biryani and international options like burgers and pizzas, catering to varied tastes. For players, the stadium provides state-of-the-art dressing rooms, practice nets adjacent to the main ground, and a fully equipped gym for warm-ups and recovery. Media facilities include high-tech press boxes, commentary booths with advanced audio-visual systems, and elevated camera platforms for uninterrupted broadcasting. VIP lounges and hospitality suites offer air-conditioned comfort, gourmet dining, and exclusive views for premium ticket holders. The stadium also has dedicated areas for merchandise stalls and fan engagement activities, enhancing the overall experience.

Unique Features

Ekana Stadium distinguishes itself with several standout features. Its advanced floodlighting system, comprising four towering masts, ensures optimal visibility for night games, making it ideal for high-stakes T20 and ODI matches. Giant LED screens, strategically placed around the stands, provide instant replays, live scores, and player stats, keeping fans engaged. The stadium’s eco-friendly initiatives, such as rainwater harvesting systems and solar panels, reflect a commitment to sustainability, a rarity among Indian stadiums. Fan zones with interactive games, face-painting stalls, and LSG merchandise shops create a festive atmosphere, particularly during IPL matches. The stadium’s design includes a unique drainage system to prevent waterlogging, ensuring matches can proceed in adverse weather. Additionally, the venue’s sound system and vibrant lighting enhance the crowd’s energy, making every match a spectacle.

Fan Experience

The fan experience at Ekana Cricket Stadium is widely celebrated, with a 4.5/5 rating on Justdial from over 16,500 reviews, reflecting its popularity. During LSG IPL matches, the stands transform into a sea of green and maroon, with fans chanting and waving flags, creating an electrifying atmosphere. The passionate Lucknow crowd is known for its vocal support, erupting for every boundary, wicket, or diving catch, blending the city’s cultural warmth with cricketing fervor. Visitors praise the modern amenities, including clean restrooms, ample food options, and clear sightlines, but some have noted challenges like seat mismanagement or long queues during high-profile matches. Social media posts on X highlight the thrill of attending World Cup or IPL games, with fans describing the stadium as a “cauldron of noise” and a “must-visit for cricket lovers.” The combination of Lucknow’s hospitality, with its Awadhi heritage, and the stadium’s contemporary vibe makes every match a memorable event.

🌍Pitch Report & Conditions

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, fondly known as Ekana Stadium, is a modern cricketing venue in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India. Since its inauguration in 2017, it has gained a reputation for its bowler-friendly pitch, particularly favoring spinners, and its challenging long boundaries, measuring up to 80 meters straight. Home to the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the IPL and host to international matches, including the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, Ekana’s pitch offers a unique test of skill across T20, ODI, and Test formats. Below, we explore the pitch’s behavior, supported by historical data and insights into playing conditions.

T20 Format

Pitch Characteristics:The Ekana Stadium pitch in T20 cricket is distinctly bowler-friendly, with a slow, dry red-soil surface that provides significant grip and turn for spinners, especially in the second innings. Early in the match, pacers can find swing and seam movement, particularly under floodlights in cooler evening conditions (20–25°C during IPL season). The pitch slows as the game progresses, making timing shots difficult and favoring bowlers who vary their pace. The long boundaries (80m straight, 70m square) discourage six-hitting, pushing batsmen toward ground shots and strategic play.

Typical Scores:The average first-innings score in T20 matches, based on 23 games, is approximately 156, with the second innings averaging around 140 (Sportstar). High-scoring games above 180 are rare, reflecting the pitch’s challenging nature.

Historical Example:In IPL 2023, Lucknow Super Giants were bowled out for 108 against Royal Challengers Bangalore, highlighting the pitch’s bowler-friendly tendencies (Sporting News). Conversely, Kolkata Knight Riders’ 235/6 in 2023 remains the highest team total, showing that disciplined batting can yield results.

Key Insights:

Pacers can exploit early swing and seam, especially in evening games.
Spinners dominate middle and death overs, with players like Ravi Bishnoi taking 19 IPL wickets at an economy under 7 (Sporting News).
Teams batting first have won 12 of 23 T20s, suggesting a slight advantage to setting a total.
Batsmen must prioritize strike rotation and avoid risky lofted shots due to long boundaries.

ODI Format

Pitch Characteristics:In ODIs, the Ekana pitch remains bowler-friendly but allows slightly higher scores than T20s due to the longer format and daytime conditions. Early movement is available for pacers, particularly in morning sessions with moisture, offering swing and seam in the first 10–15 overs. The dry surface provides turn and occasional low bounce for spinners in the middle overs, challenging batsmen’s timing. The long boundaries continue to limit aggressive scoring, favoring patient innings-building.

Typical Scores:During the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, the average first-innings score was around 230–250, with South Africa’s 311/7 against Australia being an exception due to exceptional batting (My11Circle).

Historical Example:In the 2023 World Cup, India defended 229/9 against England, bowling them out for 129, with spinners Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja exploiting the pitch’s turn and variable bounce (My11Circle).

Key Insights:

Pacers benefit from early swing and seam, especially in day games.
Spinners dominate middle overs, with the dry pitch offering grip and turn.
Batsmen need to build partnerships and avoid aerial shots due to boundary lengths.
Teams often prefer batting first to set a defendable total, as chasing under lights is tough.

Test Format

Pitch Characteristics:Ekana has hosted only one Test match (Afghanistan vs. West Indies, 2019), but it revealed a pitch that evolves over five days. Initially batsman-friendly, the red-soil pitch offers pace and bounce for pacers on Days 1 and 2. From Day 3, it deteriorates, providing significant turn and variable bounce for spinners, making batting increasingly difficult. The long boundaries and slow outfield further challenge scoring.

Typical Scores:In the 2019 Test, Afghanistan scored 187 and West Indies 277 in their first innings, indicating a balanced but challenging surface (ESPNcricinfo).

Historical Example:Spinners Rahkeem Cornwall and Amir Hamza were pivotal from Day 3 in the 2019 Test, taking key wickets on a wearing surface, showcasing the pitch’s spin-friendly nature in later stages (My11Circle).

Key Insights:

Pacers can extract movement early, particularly with the new ball.
Batsmen can capitalize on Days 1–2 but face challenges as the pitch wears.
Spinners dominate from Day 3, with turn and variable bounce.
Teams aim for 300–350 in the first innings to leverage early conditions.

Weather and Environmental Influences

Climate Impact:

Summer (March–June): Warm temperatures (25–30°C) result in a dry, slow pitch, enhancing spin and limiting high scores.
Winter (September–November): Cooler temperatures (20–25°C) and occasional morning moisture aid pacers early, with minimal dew impact in T20s.

Unique Design Factor:Ekana’s four state-of-the-art floodlight towers ensure excellent visibility for day-night matches, enhancing the experience for evening T20s and ODIs. The herringbone drainage system clears rainwater quickly, maintaining pitch consistency even after rain (Pitch-Report.com).

Historical Context and Pitch Evolution

Past vs. Present:Since its inception in 2017, Ekana’s pitch has consistently been bowler-friendly, particularly for spinners, due to its red-soil composition and dry nature. Unlike older venues that have evolved, Ekana’s pitch has maintained its challenging character, with no major reported changes. Its reputation for low-scoring thrillers, as seen in IPL and World Cup matches, underscores its unique identity.

Supporting Data:

T20: LSG’s 108 vs. RCB (IPL 2023) and KKR’s 235/6 (IPL 2023) show the pitch’s range.
ODI: India’s 229/9 vs. England (WC 2023) highlights spinner dominance.
Test: Afghanistan’s 187 and West Indies’ 277 (2019) reflect a balanced but deteriorating surface.

Summary of Pitch Behavior Across Formats

Format	Pitch Nature	Average 1st Innings Score	Key Feature	Toss Preference
T20	Bowler-friendly, spin-dominant	~156	Long boundaries, slow surface	Bat first
ODI	Bowler-friendly, spin and pace	~230–250	Early swing, later turn	Bat first
Test	Balanced, then spin-friendly	~187–277	Deteriorates by Day 3	Bat first

The Ekana Stadium pitch is a bowler’s paradise, rewarding disciplined bowling and patient batting. Its slow, spin-friendly surface and long boundaries make it a unique challenge, delivering thrilling contests across T20, ODI, and Test formats.

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FAQ

Ekana Cricket Stadium Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Ekana Cricket Stadium is predominantly a bowler-friendly pitch, characterized by its slow, dry surface that offers significant turn for spinners, especially in the second innings. Pacers can find early assistance with swing or seam, particularly under floodlights, making it challenging for batsmen to score freely. T20 matches typically produce first innings totals between 130–180, with high-scoring games being exceptions. For instance, spinners like Ravi Bishnoi have taken 19 IPL wickets here, and the average IPL first innings score of around 150 underscores its bowler-dominated nature.

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000, making it India’s fifth-largest international cricket venue. This capacity accommodates large crowds for IPL matches, World Cup games, and international fixtures, with tiered stands ensuring unobstructed views. The seating includes general stands, premium sections, and corporate boxes, catering to diverse audiences. Its scale and design make it a preferred venue for major tournaments, enhancing Lucknow’s cricketing stature.

From Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport, the stadium is about 25 km away, a 45-minute drive via Amar Shaheed Path, a well-maintained expressway. Taxis, Ola/Uber cabs, and prepaid rentals are readily available at the airport for a convenient trip. Public buses are less reliable due to limited routes to Gomti Nagar Extension. On match days, traffic can cause delays, so leaving early is advisable, especially for evening games when fans converge en masse.

Ekana’s first international match in 2018 was a T20I where India defeated West Indies, highlighted by Rohit Sharma’s record-setting fourth T20I century (111*). The 2023 Cricket World Cup saw five matches, including India’s 100-run win over England, driven by Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling, and South Africa’s 311/7 against Australia. In the IPL, KKR’s 235/6 in 2023 against LSG marked the highest team total, while LSG’s 108 is the lowest. The stadium also hosted Afghanistan’s 2019 home series, including a historic Test match against West Indies.

Ekana offers robust food and parking facilities. Food courts serve a wide range, from Awadhi biryani and kebabs to international fast food like pizzas and burgers, ensuring options for all tastes. Parking lots accommodate thousands of vehicles, with wheelchair-accessible spaces, but can fill quickly during IPL or international matches. Fans are advised to arrive early to secure parking and enjoy pre-match dining, as queues can form during peak events.

Tickets for matches at Ekana can be purchased online through platforms like BookMyShow, Paytm, or the official IPL/LSG website for IPL games. For international matches, the BCCI website or authorized partners like Insider.in are reliable sources. Physical tickets may be available at the stadium’s box office, but online booking is preferred for convenience and to avoid sell-outs. Prices vary by match type and seating (general to VIP), so early booking is crucial for high-demand fixtures like IPL playoffs or World Cup games.