Sardar Patel Stadium

Ground information Location : Motera, Ahmadabad, Gujarat Establishment : 1982 Capacity 54,000 Owner: Gujarat Cricket Association Operator: Gujarat Cricket Association Tenants: Indian Cricket Team (1983-present) Rajasthan Royals (2010) End names: Adani Pavilion End GMDC End

History Sardar Patel Stadium (Motera Stadium) is one of the premier Cricket stadiums of India located in the Motera locality of Ahmadabad. Because of its location, the stadium is commonly called Motera Stadium to avoid confusion with another stadium of the same name in Navrangpura locality of Ahmedabad. Sardar Patel stadium is owned by Gujarat Cricket Association and comes under the aegis of the West Zone. It is the largest stadium in the state of Gujarat, and has an official capacity of 54,000 spectators. It is equipped with floodlights for day-and-night games and is a regular venue for Test cricket and One Day Internationals (ODI) matches. Formerly known as the Gujarat Stadium, the ground was later renamed in tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Apart from cricket, the ground has played host to a number of programs arranged by the Government of Gujarat. The pitch once favoured the bowlers, but has lately been host to competitive games. As of May 2010, the Motera stadium has played host to 19 ODI matches. In India, only Eden Gardens (22 ODI Matches) has hosted more ODI matches than Motera Stadium. The stadium is also one of the host venues for 2011 Cricket World Cup to be held in India. It is scheduled to host 3 matches, including a Quarter final match. Development Before Sardar Patel Stadium (Motera Stadium) came into existence, International cricket matches in the city were played at Ahmadabad Municipal Corporation's stadium of the same name (Sardar Patel Stadium) in the Navrangpura locality of the city. In 1982, the Government of Gujarat donated a 50-acre (200,000 m2) stretch of land on the banks of the Sabarmati River for the construction of new stadium. The construction of the Sardar Patel Stadium was carried out in a span of nine months and since then all International cricket fixtures for the city are hosted here. The stadium hosted its first International Test match on November 12, 1983 between India and the West Indies. Later in the 1984-85 Australia-India series, Sardar Patel Stadium went on to host its first ODI, one in which Australia beat the Indians. Sunil Gavaskar became the first-ever cricketer to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket on this ground – a feat he achieved against Pakistan. Seven years later Kapil Dev claimed his 432nd Test wicket on this ground to become the highest wicket taker in the world, breaking Sir Richard Hadlee's record for the most number of wickets in Test matches here. Before he became the highest wicket taker, Kapil Dev also made a nine-wicket haul in his career here at the Motera ground. In 1996, the ground hosted a low-scoring Test match against South Africa, where the tourists faltered while chasing a paltry 170 for a win to end up at 105 all out. Javagal Srinath scalped six wickets in the fourth innings of the match. However, South Africa had their sweet revenge when they bowled India out for 76 runs in the first session of the Test match in 2008 and then went on to win it by an innings and 90 runs. The Stadium was also one of the venues for the 2006 edition of the ICC Champions Trophy, with five of the 15 games being played here. It has also hosted one game in each of the two Cricket World Cups that were played in the country, including the first match of the 1996 World Cup between England and New Zealand. The Stadium is an adopted home venue for the Indian Premier League franchise Rajasthan Royals. The Stadium hosted four of the seven home games of Rajasthan Royals during the 2010 season of the Indian Premier League. Rajasthan Royals won three out of those four games played here. Ground Current stands at Sardar Patel Stadium are as follow (in a clockwise direction from top) GMDC Upper and Lower Stands - Public seating East Upper and Lower Pavilion - Public seating Adani Lower Pavilion - Players dressing room, corporate boxes and public reserved seating Adani Upper Pavilion - Public seating Club Pavilion - Members seating West Pavilion - Public seating All stands are roof covered and have two tiers, barring the Club pavilion and West pavilion. The media is also well taken care of, with an air-conditioned press box. Press box is wi-fi enabled and also has a multi purpose media conference room. The stadium has car-park for 10,000 vehicles. The Adani Pavilion also houses more than 20 air-conditioned corporate boxes. There are 21 entry gates to the stadium making it easier for spectators to enter the stands.