Holkar Cricket Stadium is a cricket stadium located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. It is owned and operated by the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), which also has its headquarters at the venue. It is the home ground of the Madhya Pradesh men’s and women’s cricket teams.
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Quick Facts
| Location | Race Course Road, Indore, Madhya Pradesh |
| Formerly known as | Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground |
| Renamed | 2010, after the Holkar dynasty of the Maratha Empire |
| Capacity | Approximately 30,000 |
| Owner/Operator | Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association |
| First ODI | 15 April 2006, India vs England |
| First Test | 2016, India vs New Zealand (22nd Test venue in India) |
History
The stadium’s origins trace back to the Holkar dynasty, the ruling Maratha family of the former Indore State, which was an early patron of cricket in the region. An earlier ground on part of the same site saw the Holkar cricket team win three Ranji Trophy titles in the late 1940s and early 1950s, with legends such as C. K. Nayudu and Mushtaq Ali playing there. Historically, the Holkar team reached the Ranji Trophy final eight times, winning it four.
The current stadium, originally called the Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground, was renamed Holkar Cricket Stadium in 2010 in tribute to that dynasty. It hosted its first ODI in 2006 and became a regular international venue thereafter. In November 2015, it was named one of six new Indian venues to be awarded Test status, alongside grounds including the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium and HPCA Stadium; its first Test followed in 2016, making it the 22nd Test venue in India.
Notable Events
- 8 December 2011 – Virender Sehwag scored 219 against West Indies, at the time the second-highest individual ODI score ever, and still the third-highest.
- 2023 Cricket World Cup preparations and Women’s World Cup 2025 – Holkar was selected among India’s venues for global ICC tournaments.
- July 2025 – The stadium opened its own Cricket Museum, displaying items such as Sachin Tendulkar’s pads, Rahul Dravid’s gloves, and a life-size statue of Kapil Dev lifting the 1983 World Cup trophy.
Records
- India held a 100% win record at the venue from its inauguration until a T20I loss to South Africa on 4 October 2022.
- Highest individual ODI score at venue: Virender Sehwag, 219 vs West Indies (2011).
- The ground’s square boundaries are notably short, at around 56 metres, contributing to its reputation as a high-scoring venue in white-ball cricket.
Facilities and Layout
Dressing rooms are named after Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Rahul Dravid (born in Indore), while stadium gates honour former international cricketers from the region, including Narendra Hirwani, Amay Khurasia, and Rajesh Chauhan. One gallery features stands named after modern Indian greats such as Vijay Hazare, Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, and Anil Kumble, while an opposite gallery honours figures from the Holkar cricketing era, including J. N. Bhaya, Hiralal Gaekwad, and C. S. Nayudu.
Access
Holkar Cricket Stadium is centrally located on Race Course Road in Indore, roughly 8 km from Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and 3 km from the city’s main railway station.
Related Stadiums
- Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune — another Central Zone international venue granted Test status in 2015.
- VCA Stadium, Nagpur — Madhya Pradesh’s neighbouring Central Zone cricket hub.
- Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, Raipur — another major Central Indian cricket ground.
- Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur — a fellow high-scoring, batting-friendly Indian venue.
This article is written in a Wikipedia-style format for reference and general information purposes.
