On April 2, 2011, commentator Ravi Shastri’s voice echoed, “Dhoni finishes off in style. A magnificent strike into the crowd! India lift the World Cup after 28 years!”
For every cricket admirer, just reading the above statement transcends into a time unleashing an explosion of pure euphoria, isn’t it? I vividly remember watching the finale from my college dorm, and let me tell you, screams of joy echoed through the entire building when India clinched victory.
Under M S Dhoni, India played the host and the odds-on favourites to win. And Oh, boy! They successfully validated their position as the alpha of the cricketing world.
Not to forget Sachin Tendulkar’s last dance at the Wankhade Stadium.
Source Image – indianexpress.com
It’s been twelve years, and the biggest international event of cricket is back in our country. This time, India is playing the solo host and welcoming the ten teams with all the pomp and pageantry. The ICC World Cup is not just a sporting event; it’s a nationwide fever that will continue to strike for weeks and more if it ends in a triumph. From diehard fans to the occasional enthusiast, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions fueled by those exhilarating yet sometimes irrational expectations.
It is this appeal that entices a massive crowd to throng the best cricket stadiums. And, to witness their favourite teams and players in action. Stadiums and pitches are the heart and soul of cricket, witnessing the breathtaking moments (remember Saurav’s Ganguly Epic Shirt Wave at Lord’s) and the crowd cheer for decades.
But having said that, one might ponder about stadium infrastructure and how these well-designed grounds elevate the drama of a cricket match.
Think about the curvature of the seating, placement of stands, accessibility features, and the lighting systems that create a theatrical experience for cricket junkies.
Gear up, folks, because we’re in for one heck of a ride!
Let’s learn about the best stadiums in the world that contribute to the city’s skyline and become a part of its cultural identity.
Narendra Modi Stadium, India
Source Image – opindia.com
This mammoth stadium, boasting a seating capacity of 1.32 lakh spectators, rivals cricketing fortresses around the world. Built on the banks of the Sabarmati River, Ahmedabad, Narendra Modi Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in the world.
Constructed in 1983, the ground was expanded and redeveloped in 2020. The structure is devoid of columns, giving viewers an unhampered view of the stadium from every angle. Furthermore, the roof is designed with a lightweight, cable-supported tensile membrane independent from the reinforced concrete bowl seating to make it more earthquake-resistant.
The stadium will be hosting the most anticipated finale of the ICC World Cup 2023 on the 19th of November. Howzat!!
Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia
An icon of Australian sporting culture, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) is one of the oldest and largest stadiums in the Southern Hemisphere. Colloquially known as “G” to Melbournians, the buzzing colosseum can host more than 100,000 spectators. With over 150 years of sporting history, MCG has evolved, meeting the changing demands of the city while maintaining the ground’s inherited traditions.
The structure of the stadium is pitch-perfect with an open-air design. The goal was to amalgamate the natural context of the game where climate and weather add excitement and intrigue to the mannerisms and strategy of gameplay. The cherry on top is Northern Stand’s Roof —composed of metal and glass that enhances its celebratory status and spectacularity. Not to forget the state-of-the-art seating, support facilities, and interactive sports gallery screaming, Game On!
Eden Gardens, India
Source Image – lbb.in
Next comes Asia’s pride, Eden Gardens, slated to host five World Cup encounters, including an exhilarating face-off between India and South Africa, along with a pivotal semifinal match. Fondly known as the ‘Mecca of Indian cricket’ in terms of enthusiasm and passion, this historic venue, with a capacity of 68,000, has undergone a splendid facelift in preparation for this grandeur event.
The redevelopment design includes the new exterior façade clad in metallic panels with enhanced strength and vibrant aesthetics, which coalesces the ground into a single monumental unit. The Googly here, the ground has favoured spinners over fast bowlers. So, watch out for your favourites this season: India’s Kuldeep Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, or Kiwi leg-spinner Ish Sodhi.
Adelaide Oval, Australia
Home to Australia’s premier sporting games and entertainment venues for more than 140 years, Adelaide Oval is one of the most picturesque cricket grounds in the world. With a staggering capacity of around 53,583 individuals, the stadium was redeveloped in 2014, transforming the historic ground into a world-class stadium while embracing old-world charm and cutting-edge innovation.
What sets it apart from the most modern stadiums?
The roofline, now an undulating wave of contemporary design, does not form a complete whole. Instead, there is a gap at the northern end. This creates a unique horse-shoe shape, adding to the Oval’s individuality and identity. Masterstroke!
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, India
Source Image – jagranjosh.com
Named after the former Prime Minister of India, Rajiv Gandhi, the stadium was inaugurated in 2003 and is home to the IPL team Sunrisers Hyderabad. With a seating capacity of 55,000, the stadium will play host to three ICC World Cup 2023 one-day innings. But beyond every cheer and thrilling match, what needs to be discoverable is the remarkable stadium infrastructure. Inspired by a bowl, the stadium has a two-tier architecture that allows for unobstructed views from all angles, much like a perfectly timed ‘yorker’ that leaves the batsman with no room to manoeuvre.
Wait, there are more extras. The stadium boasts cutting-edge facilities and amenities, including top-notch dressing rooms, media centres, corporate boxes, practice pitches, and ample parking space.
The Wanderers, South Africa
The Wanderers in Johannesburg, fondly known as the “Bullring,” is not just a stadium; it’s a fortress of cricketing intensity. It’s architecture mirrors the spirit of aggressive pace bowling — strong, dynamic, and unyielding. The impressive towering stands create an atmosphere that’s as intimidating as a fired-up bowler charging towards the crease.
Over the timeline of more than 74 years, the ground has witnessed some of cricket’s most memorable moments. Who can forget South Africa’s triumphant chase of 434 runs against Australia in March 2006? This one-day innings is marked in the memories of every cricket lover. The Wanderers witnessed the magic that day!
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, India
Nestled amidst the breathtaking backdrop of beautiful snow-clad mountains, HPCA stadium is located in Dharamshala, the hometown of the Dalai Lama. The stadium design contrasts the high-octane of the cricket fever with peaceful tranquillity. The monastery-style pavilion, small-sized stands with vibrant seating and modern facilities make HPCA the picturesque ground in India, as the Adelaide Oval. A favourite of the Kings XI Punjab team, the ground will host several World Cup matches, including the sensational spree between India and New Zealand.
Perth Stadium, Australia
What was once the waste ground of the city was revitalised into a vibrant public park. Perth, popularly known as Optus Stadium, is a 60,000-seat multi-purpose stadium that provides exceptional views from anywhere in the stadium.
The ground is famous for its flat track pitch where batters can easily play paddle, sweep shots and score more runs. Not only this, the Optus was touted as the ‘Most Beautiful Sports Facility’ in the World at the 2019 Prix Versailles Architecture Awards.
The five-tiered structure stands out, sheathed in a textural bronze façade fabricated of anodised aluminium. Thanks to a custom LED lighting system, the ground comes to life at night, adding a captivating aura.
Lord’s, United Kingdom
Last but certainly not the least!
Named after Thomas Lord, owner of the Marylebone Cricket Club, guardians of the laws of the game, Lord houses an unmatched cricketing art and memorabilia collection.
Apart from hosting some of the best test innings, the highlight of the ground is its design, where modernity meets history.
The newly upgraded stands at the country’s premier cricket venue deliver greatly improved sightlines and an enhanced spectator experience for all sports buffs. In addition, intacting the terracotta-coloured pavilion constructed in 1890 elevates the stature of the venue.
Dubbed as the ‘home of cricket’, London’s Lord’s changed the Indian cricket scenario and made it the beloved sport for the country.
Source Image – chaseyoursport.com
India’s victory in the 1983 Cricket World Cup, played at the Lord’s against the star-studded West Indies, is still seen as one of the greatest events in the annals of sports history. Thereafter, Cricket never remained just a sport!
Before I run out of words, here’s an extensive list of venues and stadiums where all matches will be played by ten different teams across 10 different venues in India.
World Cup 2023: Venues and Stadiums
- Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
- MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai
- Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi
- Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamsala
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata
- Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow
- Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai
- MCA International Stadium, Pune
- Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
PowerPlay!
As the much-anticipated 13th edition of the ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 is gearing up, it promises to be the most high-octane World Cup, yet the buzz around is more in the context than what seems to be a reality. Perhaps the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou, coupled with factors like upcoming festivities and even the decision to skip the opening ceremony, has somewhat dampened the excitement and build-up for the World Cup. Comparisons are being drawn with the last tournament, hosted in the subcontinent in 2011, which had an eminent vibe.
Since then, the dynamics of the game have changed literally and metaphorically. The resounding success of IPL and T20 World Cups results in bountiful opportunities for investors, followers, and players alike, which brings us back to a 50-over game format that has become staid and formulaic as opposed to the shortest format being more gripping. Cricketers have uptake the changing landscape and are equipped to compete and entertain as a global entity.
KL Rahul and Virat Kohli’s striking innings powered India to a six-wicket win against Australia in their World Cup opening match.
Source Image – sportstar.thehindu.com
Nevertheless, whether Rohit and Co. can repeat the historic moment on home soil or not (fingers crossed), cricket in India loves to spin and weave a cherished narrative, connecting the hearts of millions of people with a shared love for the game, which is nothing short of an emotion!
