The evolution and popularity of the game along with its multiformat structure have made it mandatory for the cricket-playing nation to put their focus on making world-class stadiums. Existing Stadiums are molded to manage the modern demands while new state-of-the-art stadiums are being built. Here is a look at the Top 10 Most Beautiful Cricket Stadiums in the World

Prepared By: Raghunath Nair

Introduction

India is at the forefront of building new state-of-the-art Cricket Stadiums. This was evident when a relatively new stadium, the Narendra Modi Stadium, hosted the 2023 ICC ODI Cricket World Cup Finals.

While more and more Stadiums are being built, the existing Stadiums have also done a lot of facelifts making them amongst the most beautiful stadiums in the world. While some stadiums are beautiful due to their architectural Marvels, some are on the list for their High-tech facilities.

Stadium TOP 10 Cricket Stadiums Around the World: Architectural Marvels and Their Stories

Let’s take a tour of the best cricket stadiums around the world

Narendra Modi Stadium, India

The Venue for the finals for the IPL and the recently concluded ICC ODI World Cup Finals has become one of the most popular stadiums in the world. Built on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, the stadium was earlier called the Motera Stadium and was recoined after a grand facelift making it one of the biggest in terms of occupancy.

The Narendra Modi Stadium is the largest cricket stadium in the world with a seating capacity of 1,32,000.

Three new pitches and a new outfield were laid, and state-of-the-art floodlights and covered stands were added.

In the past, the stadium has witnessed some iconic cricketing moments like Sunil Gavaskar crossing the 10,000 runs and Kapil Dev’s record-breaking 432nd wicket breaking Richard Hadlee’s record to become cricket’s leading wicket taker then.

The Narendra Modi Stadium has 11 pitches, comprising 5 black soil and 5 a mixture of three types of soil, with the remaining a mix of two types. The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is set to host the highly anticipated India vs Australia Final in the ICC ODI World Cup 2023.

The Narendra Modi Stadium features extensive amenities, such as a 55-room clubhouse, 4 dressing rooms, 76 corporate boxes and an Olympic-sized swimming pool. Narendra Modi Stadium offers comprehensive training facilities as the stadium premises also house a cricket academy with practice pitches.

Lords, London, England

Lords will always be the mecca of cricket and so it should be. It is also called the Home of cricket. It is the oldest cricket stadium in the world and has maintained its traditional ethos and is boosted with modern amenities.

It is 205 years old, established in 1814. The stadium has a heritage. It has hosted many of the cricket matches and is famous for the Ashes Test series. World Cup finals have been played at Lords on multiple occasions.

It has the capacity to hold 30,000 spectators.

Traditionally, the Lord’s pitch aids fast bowlers owing to the swing and seam movement on offer. It eases to a great batting track from day 3 onwards

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia

The Melbourne Cricket Ground or the MCG is one of the iconic stadiums located in Melbourne.

While it is a cricket Stadium, the venue is used for many sporting activities including the hosting of the Olympics and Commonwealth games.

It is home for two professional cricket teams and 4 professional Aussie Rules Football teams.

This stadium is most famous in Cricket for the Boxing Day Test.

The MCG is one of the biggest stadiums in the world both on surface play area along with a capacity of 100000 spectators.

The MCG Museum holds some of the most unique memorabilia in the history of cricket.

Eden Gardens, India

The Eden Garden was called the home of cricket in India and hosted some of the world’s premier tournaments.

Currently, it serves as home to IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders, Bengal Cricket Team and the Indian National Team.

The Eden Gardens have a capacity of 90,000 spectators, it is the second-largest cricket stadium in the world and on this list.

The Kolkata test match between India and Australia is still considered one of the best test matches.

It has hosted the 1997 World Cup final.

Though the pitches are batting friendly, the new ball swings and the wicket turns from the 3rd day in Test matches.

Sydney Cricket Ground, Australia

Another Iconic stadium in Australia is the Sydney Cricket Ground, commonly called the SCG is home to multiple teams. Like other stadiums in Australia, the stadium in Sydney has a huge capacity of 46000.

Having being established in 1848, it still has one pavilion that hasn’t changed, the Green Roofed Ladies Pavilion.

Cricketing Legend Sir Donald Bradman has a personal best score on this pitch of 452 not out, in 1929.

Kensington Oval, Barbados

The Kingston Oval, Bridgestone is a famous cricket ground in the West Indies. With a lot of history behind it, this ground is a much-loved cricket stadium in the Caribbean island of Barbados. It is one of the major sporting facilities and is primarily used for cricket.

The stadium was awarded in 2010 for Sports or Leisure Structures from the Institution of Structural Engineers. It is home to two domestic professional teams. It is the most unique cricket stadium in the world – It has a Jacuzzi style swimming pool with a Jumbo for spectators to relax and watch a match.

Newlands Cricket Ground, South Africa

Located between the tourist attractions of Table Mountain and the Devils Peak.

It is home to the Cape Cobras.

It was established in 1889 and has been a host for many international test series.

The WACA, Australia

The third Stadium in Australia is the Gabba.

The Perth wicket known as the Waca, has been traditionally known for its quick wickets and is a paradise for quick bowlers. It gets a sea breeze called the Freemantle Doctor which helps bowlers a lot.

Built in 1890, and has seen 4 of 7 fastest test centuries. The Stadium has a capacity of 24000 spectators

Eden Park Cricket Stadium, New Zealand

A host to mega sporting events, the stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000. The Eden Park, located in central Auckland, New Zealand, is the country’s national stadium with a seating capacity of 50,000.

After its renovation, it is one of the best-lit stadiums for ODIs and a day-night match.

With a long history, it is considered one of the iconic sporting venues in the world

The Wanderers Stadium, South Africa

Famously called “the Bullring” has hosted the 2003 Cricket World final. It is known as “the Bullring” for its design and the atmosphere created here is known to be intimidating to the away team. High stands surround most of the field, although there is a small grassed area that is very popular with spectators. This stadium has hosted the IPL semi-final in 2009. This stadium like SCG has seen history in terms of scores. AB De Villiers scored the fastest ODI 50 and ODI 100 here.