Former international venue · Uttar Pradesh

University Ground, Lucknow

University of Lucknow campus, on the banks of the Gomti River, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Stadium guide with history, famous matches and records.

Opened 1949
1 Test

Photo: AJ12119, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

University Ground: key facts

University Ground is a former Test venue at the University of Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. It staged one international match, the India–Pakistan Test from 23 to 26 October 1952, before K. D. Singh Babu Stadium became Lucknow’s main cricket ground in 1994. The university campus continues to host sports activity.

Location: University of Lucknow campus, on the banks of the Gomti River, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Opened: 1949
First international: 23 October 1952India v Pakistan, 2nd Test
Owned or run by: University of Lucknow
Home teams: Uttar Pradesh
Status: Former international venue

International matches hosted

1Tests

Counts up to 6 June 2026; first international 23 October 1952, last 23 October 1952.

History of University Ground

The ground was established in 1949 and is associated with the University of Lucknow. It stands beside the Gomti in central Lucknow. The available ground record identifies the University of Lucknow as both owner and operator, while published sources do not give a dependable spectator capacity.

Its only Test came in the second match of Pakistan’s 1952–53 tour of India. India and Pakistan played from 23 to 26 October 1952, with Pakistan winning by an innings and 43 runs. Pakistan made 331 after India’s 106 and then dismissed India for 182 in the second innings.

The venue’s international role ended after that single Test. The Lucknow University Ground account says K. D. Singh Babu Stadium took over as the city’s premier cricket ground in 1994. The campus remains a sports setting: a 2026 report records Lucknow University preparing to host a North Zone Inter-University tournament and describes new turf wickets at its Paranjape Pavilion Ground, but it does not establish that those wickets are the historic Test square.

Milestones

1949
University Ground was established at the University of Lucknow.
1952
It hosted its only Test, India against Pakistan, from 23 to 26 October.
1994
K. D. Singh Babu Stadium became Lucknow’s premier cricket ground, ending University Ground’s international role.
2026
Lucknow University was reported to be preparing to host the North Zone Inter-University Men’s Cricket Tournament 2026–27.

Famous matches at University Ground

23 October 1952
India v Pakistan, 2nd Test
Pakistan won by an innings and 43 runs. Nazar Mohammad scored 124, Pakistan’s first Test century, while Fazal Mahmood took 12 wickets in the match, including 7/42 in India’s second innings.

University Ground records

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

Ground records at University Ground
Record	Figure	Match
Highest Test score	124	Nazar Mohammad, Pakistan v India, 1952
Best Test bowling in an innings	7/42	Fazal Mahmood, Pakistan v India, 1952
Most wickets in a Test	12	Fazal Mahmood, Pakistan v India, 1952; 5/52 and 7/42
Highest Test team total	331	Pakistan v India, 1952

University Ground: questions and answers

When was University Ground in Lucknow built?

The ground was established in 1949, according to the venue record.

Which international match was played at University Ground?

India played Pakistan in the second Test of the 1952–53 series from 23 to 26 October 1952. Pakistan won by an innings and 43 runs.

Why does University Ground no longer host international cricket?

The venue’s international use ended after its one Test. K. D. Singh Babu Stadium became Lucknow’s premier cricket ground in 1994.

Who owns University Ground?

The University of Lucknow is listed as the owner and operator.

More cricket stadiums in Uttar Pradesh

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