Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, commonly known as Uppal Stadium, is an international cricket stadium in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. It is owned and operated by the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA) and serves as the home ground of the Hyderabad cricket team and the IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad.
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Quick Facts
| Location | Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana |
| Commissioned | 2003; opened 2005 |
| Capacity | Reported between ~39,000 and 55,000 depending on source |
| Land area | 15–16 acres |
| Owner/Operator | Hyderabad Cricket Association |
| Home team(s) | Hyderabad cricket team, Sunrisers Hyderabad (IPL) |
| Architect | Shashi Prabhu |
| First ODI | 2005, India vs South Africa |
History
Before this stadium existed, Hyderabad’s international matches were played at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in the city’s Fateh Maidan sports complex — a ground owned by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh, which limited the Hyderabad Cricket Association’s control over scheduling and revenue. In 2003, the HCA proposed a new, dedicated stadium to then Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, and land was identified in the eastern suburb of Uppal.
Much of the project’s funding came through an open auction of the stadium’s naming rights, won by Visaka Industries Limited, and the ground was initially known as “Visakha International Cricket Stadium.” By 2005, construction was largely complete and the venue hosted its first ODI, between India and South Africa. Shortly after, Andhra Pradesh’s then Chief Minister Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy renamed the stadium after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi — a decision that led to a contractual dispute with Visaka Industries, which was eventually settled.
Ahead of the 2025 IPL season, Sunrisers Hyderabad contributed funding for renovations covering seating, dressing rooms, and spectator facilities.
Notable Events
- 2017 and 2019 IPL Finals – The stadium hosted the championship match in both seasons.
- 2023 Cricket World Cup – Hosted its first ICC event, marking a new phase for the venue on the global stage.
- 2019 – India recorded its 500th ODI win at this venue.
- 2023 – Shubman Gill scored 208 against New Zealand, the highest individual score recorded at the ground in ODIs.
- 2013 – Cheteshwar Pujara’s 204 against Australia set up a dominant Indian innings win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Records
- Highest Test total: 687/6 declared, India vs Bangladesh (2017).
- Highest ODI total: 350/4, Australia vs India (2009).
- Highest IPL total: 277/3, Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Mumbai Indians (2024).
- Best IPL bowling figures: 6/12, Alzarri Joseph (Mumbai Indians vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, 2019) — regarded as the best innings bowling figures in IPL history.
- The Hyderabad Cricket Association won the “Best Ground and Pitch” award at the IPL in both 2019 and following the 2024 season.
Facilities
The venue includes state-of-the-art dressing rooms with hydrotherapy facilities, VIP boxes and corporate lounges, a modern media centre for international broadcasts, and dedicated practice grounds and net facilities.
Access
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is located in Uppal, roughly 27 km from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, Hyderabad.
Related Stadiums
- M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru — fellow South Zone IPL venue.
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai — another major South Indian cricket ground.
- ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam — Andhra Pradesh’s other international cricket venue.
- Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram — a newer South Zone international ground.
