International venue · Telangana

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Hyderabad

Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana. 35 completed matches stored since 26 Oct 2024.

Capacity 38,000
Opened 2003
6 Tests
10 ODIs
3 T20Is
Floodlit

Photo: Phanidharvaranasi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium: key facts

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, usually called Uppal Stadium, is Hyderabad's main international cricket venue. The HCA-owned ground opened in the early 2000s after the association sought a larger, dedicated venue than Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium. It hosts India matches, Hyderabad cricket and Sunrisers Hyderabad fixtures.

Location: Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana
Capacity: 38,000The commonly published match capacity is 38,000; HCA and Wikipedia also describe a 55,000 design/seating figure, so published capacities are not uniform.
Opened: 2003
First international: 16 November 2005India v South Africa, 1st ODI
Owned or run by: Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA)
Home teams: Hyderabad cricket team, Hyderabad women's cricket team, Sunrisers Hyderabad
Ends: Pavilion End and North End
Floodlights: Yes
Former names: Visaka International Cricket Stadium Ground
Status: International venue

International matches hosted

6Tests
10ODIs
3T20Is

Counts up to 6 June 2026; first international 16 November 2005.

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium pitch report

How the surface usually plays, then the figures from completed matches stored at this ground (average first-innings score is the median).

Reports describe the surface as generally flat early in a match, with the wicket tending to slow as it wears. That can bring spin into the game, while Hyderabad's Test preparation has also produced turn-friendly surfaces. Conditions vary by format and preparation, so no single pattern should be treated as guaranteed.

Generally good for batting at the start
Can become slower as the match progresses
Spin may gain help from a used or wearing surface
Dew and night conditions can affect limited-overs matches

Pitch and toss figures from stored matches

Pitch and toss figures at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium by format
Format	Matches	Avg 1st innings	Bat-first wins	Chose to bowl	Toss winner won	Highest total
T20 and shorter	33	192	50%	82%	53%	286/6 Sunrisers Hyderabad, 23 Mar 2025
Test and first-class	2	548	100%	50%	50%	560/10 Mumbai, 22 Jan 2026

Upcoming matches at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

No upcoming fixtures at this ground are confirmed.

History of Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

Hyderabad's earlier international venue was Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium at the Fateh Maidan sports complex. The Hyderabad Cricket Association had limited control there, and the smaller ground did not meet the association's plans for a larger dedicated facility. The HCA therefore proposed a new stadium at Uppal, an eastern suburb of the city. It was approved in 2003 and the stadium was established that year.

The ground was first associated with the name Visaka International Cricket Stadium after Visaka Industries won a title auction. Before its first ODI, the Andhra Pradesh government renamed it Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in honour of the former prime minister. India and South Africa played the inaugural international match on 16 November 2005, beginning the ground's present international history.

Floodlights were commissioned in April 2007, allowing the venue to stage day-night cricket. It later became the Hyderabad home of the Deccan Chargers and then Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League. The stadium hosted the 2017 IPL final and the 2019 IPL final, adding major domestic short-format fixtures to its international programme.

The venue staged its first Test in November 2010, when India played New Zealand. It has since hosted Tests against New Zealand, Australia, West Indies, Bangladesh and England. The 2023 Cricket World Cup brought the stadium its first ICC event, including Pakistan's six-wicket win over Sri Lanka on 10 October. The latest international match is India's T20I against Bangladesh on 12 October 2024.

Milestones

2003
The new HCA stadium project at Uppal was approved and the ground was established.
2004
The venue was publicly associated with the Visaka International Cricket Stadium name after the title auction.
2005
It was renamed Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium and hosted its first ODI, India v South Africa, on 16 November.
2007
Six floodlight towers were commissioned in April.
2010
India v New Zealand became the venue's first Test, played from 12 to 16 November.
2013
Sunrisers Hyderabad began using the ground as its IPL home after the Deccan Chargers era.
2017
The stadium hosted the IPL final, in which Mumbai Indians beat Rising Pune Supergiant by one run.
2023
The Pakistan v Sri Lanka match on 10 October was the stadium's first Cricket World Cup fixture.

Famous matches at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

5 November 2009
India v Australia, 5th ODI
Australia made 350/4 and India fell four runs short. Sachin Tendulkar scored 175 in the chase, one of the venue's most remembered ODI innings.
21 May 2017
Mumbai Indians v Rising Pune Supergiant, IPL final
Mumbai Indians defended 129/8 to beat Rising Pune Supergiant by one run. The ESPNcricinfo scorecard records the final at Hyderabad.
10 October 2023
Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 8th match, 2023 Cricket World Cup
Sri Lanka made 344/9, but Pakistan chased 345/4 in 48.2 overs. BCCI records Pakistan's six-wicket win at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium.

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium records

Researched ground records, checked against at least one published scorecard source.

Ground records at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
Record	Figure	Match
Highest Test total	687/6 declared	India v Bangladesh, 2017
Highest ODI total	350/4	Australia v India, 5 November 2009
Highest T20I total	297/6	India v Bangladesh, 2024
Highest successful ODI chase	345/4	Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 10 October 2023

How to reach Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium

Nearest airport: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is about 29.6 km by road; a taxi or car takes about 33 minutes in Rome2Rio's route estimate. Airport buses also run towards Uppal.
By train: The stadium is in Uppal in eastern Hyderabad. Secunderabad Junction is the nearest major railway hub commonly used for city access; take the Hyderabad Metro Blue Line onward to Stadium station or continue by road.
By metro: Stadium station on the Hyderabad Metro Blue Line is near the ground. The official station page lists Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium as a local landmark.
By road: Use the Inner Ring Road and Uppal routes; follow event-day traffic and parking directions because arrangements can change for large matches.
Address: Uppal, Hyderabad, Telangana, India

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium: questions and answers

When was Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium built?

The HCA project was approved and the ground was established in 2003. Cricbuzz lists the venue as opened in 2004, reflecting the difference between establishment and opening references.

What is the capacity of Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium?

The commonly listed match capacity is 38,000. Other references cite a 55,000 design or seating figure, so the number depends on the definition used.

Who owns the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium?

The Hyderabad Cricket Association owns and operates the stadium.

Which teams use the stadium as their home ground?

It is the home venue of the Hyderabad men's and women's cricket teams and Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL.

Which metro station is nearest to the stadium?

Stadium Metro Station on Hyderabad Metro's Blue Line is near the ground and is listed by Hyderabad Metro as serving the stadium area.

What was the first international match at the stadium?

India played South Africa in the first ODI at the venue on 16 November 2005.

More cricket stadiums in Telangana

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