Pallekele International Cricket Stadium, located in Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka, is one of the most modern cricket stadiums in the country, known for its scenic surroundings and world-class infrastructure. With a seating capacity of around 35,000, the stadium offers a mix of natural beauty and modern facilities. Opened in 2009, it quickly rose to prominence by becoming the 104th Test venue in the world in December 2010.
Built primarily for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, Pallekele is a significant cricketing landmark and the home venue of the Kandurata cricket team. It has also been considered for renaming in honor of Muttiah Muralitharan, Sri Lanka’s legendary spinner, although this hasn’t been made official yet.
The ground regularly hosts Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and international tournaments, along with domestic Sri Lankan fixtures.
📍 Location & Accessibility
- City: Pallekele, near Kandy, Central Province, Sri Lanka
- Proximity: Approximately 10 km east of Kandy city centre, nestled in a lush and hilly region
- Transport: Easily accessible by road; well-connected from Kandy and Colombo via highways; parking and shuttle services available during big matches
- Environment: Situated in the heart of the central highlands; surrounded by greenery and misty hills, giving fans a refreshing match-day experience
🏏 Cricket History
- Test Debut: 1–5 December 2010 – Sri Lanka vs West Indies
- ODI Debut: 8 March 2011 – New Zealand vs Pakistan (2011 World Cup)
- T20I Debut: June 2012 – Sri Lanka vs Pakistan
Historic Matches & Moments
- 2010: Hosted first-ever Test match – Sri Lanka vs West Indies
- 2011: Key matches during ICC Cricket World Cup, including group stage thrillers
- 2012: Sri Lanka vs Pakistan T20I series opener under lights
- 2017: Sri Lanka vs India Test, where Shikhar Dhawan scored a rapid 190
- 2022: Hosted Asia Cup matches, showcasing its international importance
🌟 Key Highlights & Features
- Seating Capacity: ~35,000 spectators
- Speciality: Built for 2011 ICC World Cup; designed with modern architecture & fan comfort
- Facilities: Spacious dressing rooms, corporate hospitality boxes, media centre, training facilities
- Floodlights: Equipped for day-night ODIs & T20Is with excellent lighting systems
- Natural Beauty: Surrounded by Kandy’s hills and lush greenery, offering a picturesque cricketing environment
🏟️ Pitch & Outfield Characteristics
- Pitch Type: Balanced surface with something for both batters and bowlers
- Early Overs: Assistance for seamers with movement under overcast conditions
- Later Days: Spinners come into play as the pitch wears down
- Batting Conditions: Good stroke-making possible once batters settle; high-scoring in limited-overs cricket
- Outfield: Fast and lush, supports aggressive batting strokes
- Day/Night Matches: Dew factor influences bowling strategies in ODIs and T20Is
🔥 Famous Matches & Tournaments
- 2010: Sri Lanka’s debut Test at the venue vs West Indies
- 2011: Hosted multiple ICC Cricket World Cup matches
- 2012: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I series
- 2017: India’s dominant performance vs Sri Lanka in Test and ODI series
- 2022: Hosted key matches of the Asia Cup
🎉 Fan Experience
- Atmosphere: Passionate Sri Lankan cricket fans create a vibrant and energetic environment
- Seating: Mix of covered stands and open seating areas; designed for clear visibility from all angles
- Family-Friendly: Food stalls, beverage zones, and safe spectator facilities for families
- Tourism Blend: Close to Kandy’s cultural attractions – Temple of the Tooth, tea plantations, and lakeside views – making it a cricket-and-tourism hotspot
- Unique Appeal: Modern World Cup stadium set against the natural beauty of Sri Lanka’s hill country
👉 Pallekele International Cricket Stadium is a jewel of Sri Lanka’s cricketing landscape – a perfect blend of modern architecture, global cricketing history, and breathtaking natural surroundings. It continues to be one of the most important venues for Sri Lankan and world cricket.
