Former international venue · Maharashtra

Nehru Stadium, Pune

Swargate, Shukrawar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra. Stadium guide with history, famous matches and records.

Capacity 25,000
Opened 1969
11 ODIs

Photo: Suyash Sonawane; permission: https://www.flickr.com/photos/colours_of_life/2342641175/, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nehru Stadium: key facts

Nehru Stadium is a cricket ground in Pune's Swargate area. Built in 1969 and formerly known as the Club of Maharashtra Ground, it hosted 11 men's ODIs and four women's ODIs, including World Cup matches in 1987 and 1996. International cricket later moved to the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium at Gahunje.

Location: Swargate, Shukrawar Peth, Pune, Maharashtra
Capacity: 25,000Cricinfo lists 25,000; Wikipedia lists 27,000, so the lower figure is used here.
Opened: 1969
First international: 5 December 1984India v England, ODI
Home teams: Maharashtra, West Zone (historical)
Ends: Tilak Road End and Pavilion End
Floodlights: No
Former names: Club of Maharashtra Ground
Status: Former international venue

International matches hosted

11ODIs
4Women's ODIs

Counts up to 6 June 2026; first international 5 December 1984, last 3 November 2005.

Nehru Stadium pitch report

Cricinfo describes the traditional Nehru Stadium surface as a flat 'patta' wicket. Batters generally held the advantage, and domestic matches were often high-scoring draws.

Traditionally flat and batting-friendly
Domestic matches were often high-scoring

History of Nehru Stadium

The ground was established in 1969 and was earlier known as the Club of Maharashtra Ground. It became a principal venue for Maharashtra cricket in central Pune, with the Maharashtra team using it for domestic matches. West Zone also played there during its period as a major inter-zonal side. The stadium's compact city location made it a regular venue before the newer MCA International Stadium was built outside Pune.

Nehru Stadium's men's international programme consisted of 11 ODIs between 5 December 1984 and 3 November 2005. It also staged four women's ODIs, the first in February 1984 and the last in January 2002. Two men's World Cup fixtures were played there, in 1987 and 1996. It is classed as a former international ground because Pune's main international venue shifted to the MCA International Stadium at Gahunje, which opened in 2012.

The ground remains associated with domestic cricket, but it has no recorded Test or T20 International match. Cricinfo describes its traditional surface as flat and generally favourable to batting, with domestic fixtures often producing high-scoring draws. It has no floodlights, which limits its suitability for modern night fixtures.

Milestones

1969
The ground was established and became known as Nehru Stadium after its earlier Club of Maharashtra Ground name.
1984
India and England played the venue's first men's ODI on 5 December.
1987
The stadium hosted Sri Lanka v England in the 1987 World Cup.
1996
Kenya defeated West Indies in a 1996 World Cup match at the ground.
2005
India v Sri Lanka on 3 November became the last men's ODI listed at Nehru Stadium.
2012
The MCA International Stadium at Gahunje was inaugurated, providing Pune with a newer international venue.

Famous matches at Nehru Stadium

30 October 1987
Sri Lanka v England, 1987 World Cup
England chased 219 against Sri Lanka and won by eight wickets. It was one of the two 1987 World Cup matches staged at the Pune ground.
29 February 1996
Kenya v West Indies, 1996 World Cup
Kenya made 166 and dismissed West Indies for 93 to win by 73 runs. The result remains the ground's best-known international upset.
3 November 2005
India v Sri Lanka, ODI
India beat Sri Lanka by four wickets in the last men's ODI listed at Nehru Stadium.

How to reach Nehru Stadium

By road: Tilak Road, near Swargate, Pune
Address: Nehru Stadium Pune, Maharashtra Cricket Association, Nehru Stadium (North Side), Tilak Road, Pune 411002

Nehru Stadium: questions and answers

When was Nehru Stadium in Pune built?

The stadium was established in 1969.

What is the capacity of Nehru Stadium, Pune?

Cricinfo lists a capacity of 25,000. Its capacity is 27,000.

Which team calls Nehru Stadium home?

Maharashtra is the principal home team. West Zone also used the ground historically.

Why does Nehru Stadium no longer host international cricket?

Pune's international fixtures shifted to the newer Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium at Gahunje, inaugurated in 2012. Nehru Stadium has no recorded Test or T20 International match and has no floodlights.

More cricket stadiums in Maharashtra

Every ground in India that has hosted an international, with its history, capacity and pitch. See all cricket stadiums in India.

Sources for this stadium guide