Cricket is not just a game in India; it is a passion. With the game’s popularity, India has built some of the world’s largest stadiums — both in capacity and boundary dimensions. While the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is the biggest in terms of seating (1,32,000), when it comes to boundary size, the title goes to the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur.
This stadium is often praised for its large playing area, long straight and square boundaries, and its ability to test the skill of both batters and bowlers. Let’s explore everything about this ground in detail.
India Largest Stadium by Boundary: Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium (Nagpur)
Overview
- Location: Jamtha, Nagpur, Maharashtra
- Established: 2008
- Home Teams: Vidarbha, Central Zone, occasional India internationals
- Speciality: Biggest cricket ground in India by boundary dimensions
Boundary Dimensions
The Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA) Stadium has some of the longest boundaries in India. Its outfield is vast, making it difficult for batters to clear the ropes easily.
| Boundary Type | Measurement |
|---|---|
| Straight Boundary | ~80 yards |
| Square Boundary | ~85 yards |
These dimensions make it India’s largest ground by playing area, even bigger than Eden Gardens or Narendra Modi Stadium when measured by boundary size.
Read Also:- Most Beautiful Cricket Stadiums in the World
History of the VCA Stadium
- The stadium replaced the older Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground and became Nagpur’s premier cricket venue in 2008.
- It quickly gained recognition and was praised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for its world-class facilities.
- Over the years, it has hosted Tests, ODIs, T20Is, and IPL matches, becoming a challenging ground for both Indian and international players.
Pitch and Playing Conditions
The VCA Stadium is known for its spin-friendly pitches, especially in the longer format.
- Fast bowlers enjoy early movement.
- Spinners dominate as the match progresses due to the dry, hot Nagpur weather.
- Batting is easier early on, but becomes difficult as the pitch slows down.
Records at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium
Test Records
| Record Type | Score/Detail | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Total | 610/6 | India vs Sri Lanka |
| Lowest Total | 79 all out | South Africa vs India |
ODI Records
| Record Type | Score/Detail | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Total | 354/7 | India vs Australia |
| Lowest Total | 113 all out | India Women vs England Women |
| Highest Chase | 351/4 | India vs Australia |
| Lowest Defended | 250 all out | India vs Australia |
T20I Records
| Record Type | Score/Detail | Match |
|---|---|---|
| Highest Total | 215/5 | Sri Lanka vs India |
| Lowest Total | 79 all out | India vs New Zealand |
| Highest Chase | 123/7 | West Indies vs South Africa |
| Lowest Defended | 123/7 | Afghanistan vs West Indies |
See Also:- Top 10 Smallest Cricket Stadiums in India
Comparison with Other Major Indian Stadiums
While VCA Stadium has the largest boundary size, other stadiums are also iconic for their capacity and atmosphere:
| Stadium | Location | Capacity | Specialty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad | 1,32,000 | Largest in the world by seating capacity |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata | 68,000 | Historic & iconic; hosted first World Cup final outside England (1987) |
| Ekana Stadium | Lucknow | 50,000 | Modern design, home of Lucknow Super Giants |
| Greenfield Stadium | Thiruvananthapuram | 50,000 | India’s first PPP model stadium |
| Wankhede Stadium | Mumbai | 33,000 | Hosted 2011 World Cup final, Sachin Tendulkar’s farewell Test |
Conclusion
When it comes to capacity, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad takes the crown. But when it comes to boundary size, the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur is India’s biggest. Its wide outfield and long dimensions make it one of the toughest places for batsmen to score easy sixes, and a paradise for bowlers who thrive on large grounds.
With India continuing to build and renovate world-class stadiums, fans can look forward to many more historic matches on these iconic grounds.
