Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, is a cricket stadium in New Delhi, India, owned and operated by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA). Established in 1883, it is the second-oldest functional international cricket stadium in India, after Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The stadium is the home ground of the Delhi cricket team and IPL franchise Delhi Capitals.
Table of Contents
Quick Facts
| Location | Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi |
| Established | 1883 |
| Capacity | Approximately 35,000–41,000 (sources vary) |
| Owner/Operator | Delhi & District Cricket Association |
| Home team(s) | Delhi cricket team, Delhi Capitals (IPL) |
| First Test | 1948–49 season, India vs West Indies |
| Renamed | 2019, after former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley |
| Nickname | “Kotla” |
History
The ground takes its historical name from the adjacent Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354 CE as part of Ferozabad, a 14th-century city he founded. The cricket ground itself was established in 1883, giving it one of the longest continuous histories of any cricket venue in India.
The stadium staged its first Test match in the 1948–49 season against West Indies. Over the following decades it became known for a batting-friendly, spin-assisted pitch, and was the site of Anil Kumble’s famous 10-wicket haul in a single innings against Pakistan in 1999 — only the second such feat in Test history.
In December 2009, an ODI between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned after the pitch was deemed dangerous due to uneven bounce, leading the ICC to ban the venue from hosting international cricket for 12 months. The ground still went on to host World Cup matches in 2011 after the ban period elapsed.
On 12 September 2019, the DDCA renamed the stadium in memory of Arun Jaitley, the former Union Finance Minister who had earlier served as DDCA president and BCCI vice-president, following his death in August of that year.
Notable Events
- 1999 – Anil Kumble takes all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan.
- 2009 – India vs Sri Lanka ODI abandoned due to unsafe pitch conditions; ICC issues 12-month ban.
- 2017 – Smog forces play to stop during an India–Sri Lanka Test, with several players reporting breathing difficulties; both teams later called for air-quality standards in future match scheduling.
- 2017 – Four stands renamed after Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, and Gautam Gambhir.
- 2019 – Hosts the 1,000th men’s T20 International (Bangladesh’s first-ever win over India in the format).
Records
- Highest Test team total at venue: West Indies, 644/8 declared (1959); also 631 all out (1948).
- Most Test wins by India at the venue: 10 out of 18 Tests (as of recent seasons).
- Highest T20 powerplay score: Sunrisers Hyderabad, 125/0 vs Delhi Capitals.
- Boundaries are among the shorter in Indian cricket, ranging roughly 59–70 metres, making the ground conducive to high-scoring limited-overs cricket.
Facilities and Layout
The stadium features stands named for former Delhi and India cricketers, including the Bishan Singh Bedi Stand, Mohinder Amarnath Stand, and Gautam Gambhir Stand, along with dressing rooms named after Raman Lamba and Prakash Bhandari. Play takes place between the Stadium End and the Pavilion End.
Access
Arun Jaitley Stadium is located on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in central Delhi, a short walk from the Delhi Gate metro station.
Related Stadiums
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata — India’s oldest cricket venue, with Arun Jaitley Stadium a close second.
- Green Park, Kanpur — another historic North Zone Test venue.
- Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur — fellow North Zone international ground.
- I. S. Bindra Stadium, Mohali — another prominent North Indian cricket venue.
One Comment