Formerly known as Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, Arun Jaitley Stadium is one of the most significant cricketing venues in India. The stadium is based in New Delhi and is the second – oldest operational international cricket ground in India after Eden Gardens. From hosting world record performances to memorable Test victories, thrilling ODI run chases to high-scoring IPL encounters, the ground has produced some of the greatest moments in cricket history over more than a decade.
We are now within a stadium that has gradually traversed from being a conventional cricket ground to an internationally recognised arena since it was set up in 1883. It was renamed Arun Jaitley Stadium in 2019, after the former president of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA), under whose leadership the stadium was significantly modernized during his lifetime.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Overview
| Stadium Name | Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium |
| Former Name | Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium |
| Location | New Delhi, Delhi, India |
| Established | 1883 |
| Owner | Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) |
| Operator | Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) |
| Seating Capacity | Approximately 41,000–41,842 spectators |
| Home Team | Delhi Capitals |
| End Names | Stadium End and Pavilion End |
| Floodlights | Yes |
| Surface | Grass |
| Stadium Renamed | 2019 |
| Named After | Arun Jaitley |
| First Test Match | India vs West Indies (10–14 November 1948) |
| First ODI Match | India vs Sri Lanka (15 September 1982) |
| First T20I Match | England vs Afghanistan (23 March 2016) |
| Straight Boundary Length | Approximately 68–70 meters |
| Square Boundary Length | Approximately 60–65 meters |
| Shortest Boundary | Approximately 55–60 meters |
| Highest ODI Total | South Africa – 428/5 vs Sri Lanka |
| Most Famous Record | Anil Kumble’s 10 wickets in an innings vs Pakistan (1999) |
| IPL Franchise | Delhi Capitals |
| Nearest Metro Station | Delhi Gate Metro Station |
| Significance | Second-oldest active international cricket stadium in India |
When Was Arun Jaitley Stadium Built?
The stadium was established in 1883, making it one of the oldest cricket grounds in the world. It originally operated under the name Feroz Shah Kotla Ground, named after the nearby medieval fort built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq.
Important Milestones
| Year | Event |
| 1883 | Stadium established |
| 1948 | Hosted the first Test match |
| 1982 | Hosted the first ODI |
| 2016 | Hosted the first T20I |
| 2019 | Renamed Arun Jaitley Stadium |
| Presentt | Home ground of Delhi Capitals |
Arun Jaitley Stadium Capacity
Renovations: The stadium has undergone several renovations over the years. The capacities of the venues vary between 41,000 and 48,000, depending on seating configurations and renovations. The capacity is widely accepted to be somewhere between 41,842 and 48,000 spectators as of now.
Seating Arrangement
Multiple stands and allocated corporate hospitality areas around the ground.
Main Seating Areas
- Ground Level Stands
- East Stand
- West Stand
- North Stand
- South Stand
- Premium Corporate Boxes
- VIP Galleries
- Media Box
- Hospitality Suites
The venue is also oriented so that visibility is great from anywhere in the house. Most of the older concrete benches were removed post-renovation and replaced by single bucket seats, which greatly improved spectator comfort.
The venue is one of the loudest crowd experiences for cricket in India during home matches, when it is often filled to well over capacity through IPL fixtures each year.
First International Matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium
First Test Match
The first Test match played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium (then called Feroz Shah Kotla) was between India and the West Indies from 10–14 November 1948. This encounter had also marked the commencement of international cricket at the venue. The contest contributed to the confirmation of one of India’s most notable cricket venues and began a tradition that continues to this date.
Match Date
India vs West Indies, November 1948
This was also the site of the first Test played here, which as India and the West Indies in November 1948. It was the start of the stadium’s glorious international cricket legacy.
First ODI Match
The first One Day International (ODI) held at Arun Jaitley Stadium was the second ODI of the India v/s Sri Lanka series on 15 September 1982. This match was notable as it brought limited-overs international cricket to the iconic venue in Delhi. Since then, the stadium has been part of many memorable ODI matches, such as Cricket World Cup fixtures and a few high-scoring games.
| Match | Date |
| India vs Sri Lanka | 15 September 1982 |
The stadium entered ODI cricket in 1982 when India hosted Sri Lanka. Since then, it has hosted numerous World Cups and bilateral ODI matches.
First T20 International
The inaugural T20 International at Arun Jaitley Stadium was held on 23 March 2016 between England and Afghanistan during the ICC World Twenty20. It was the first instance of the stadium hosting a game in international cricket’s shortest format. The ground has since gained a reputation as an established venue for exciting T20 contests, alongside batting-friendly conditions and thrilling matches as some of the world’s greatest cricketers go head to head.
| Match | Date |
| England vs Afghanistan | March 2016 |
The first T20 International at the venue took place during the 2016 ICC T20 World Cup. England defeated Afghanistan in this historic match.
Also Read: Pallekele International Cricket Stadium | Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch has changed significantly over the years.
Earlier Era
- Assisted spin bowling heavily.
- Slow surface.
- Difficult for batting on Days 4 and 5.
Modern Era
- Better batting conditions.
- Short boundaries.
- High-scoring T20 matches.
- Still offers assistance to spinners during longer formats.
The square boundaries are approximately 65 meters, while the straight boundary is around 68 meters, making it one of the smaller international grounds in India.
Highest Test Score at Arun Jaitley Stadium
| Team | Score |
| West Indies | 644/8 declared |
The highest Test total at the stadium belongs to the West Indies, who scored 644/8 declared against India in 1959.
Other Major Test Totals
| Team | Score |
| West Indies | 631 |
| India | 613/7 declared |
Highest ODI Score at Arun Jaitley Stadium
| Team | Score |
| South Africa | 428/5 |
During the 2023 Cricket World Cup, South Africa smashed 428/5 against Sri Lanka, setting the highest ODI total ever recorded at the venue.
Highest T20I Score at Arun Jaitley Stadium
| Team | Score |
| India | 221/9 |
India’s 221/9 against Bangladesh stands among the highest T20I totals recorded at the stadium.
Best Run Chases at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Test Cricket
| Team | Chase |
| West Indies | 276/5 |
The highest successful Test chase at the venue is 276/5 by the West Indies against India.
ODI Cricket
| Team | Chase |
| Bangladesh | 282/7 |
Bangladesh achieved the highest successful ODI chase at this venue by chasing 282 against Sri Lanka.
T20 International Cricket
| Team | Chase |
| South Africa | 212/3 |
One of the greatest T20I chases witnessed at the stadium came in 2022 when South Africa successfully chased 212 against India.
Greatest Records at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Anil Kumble’s Perfect 10
One of the most iconic moments in cricket history occurred at this venue when Anil Kumble took 10 wickets in a Test innings against Pakistan in 1999, becoming only the second bowler in Test history to achieve the feat.
Sachin Tendulkar’s Historic Century
In 2005, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 35th Test century here, surpassing the record of Sunil Gavaskar for most Test centuries at that time.
Virat Kohli’s T20I Record
Virat Kohli holds the highest individual T20I score at the venue with an unbeaten 80 against New Zealand.
Most Test Wickets
| Player | Wickets |
| Anil Kumble | 58 |
Kumble remains the most successful bowler at the venue in Test cricket.
Most Test Runs
| Player | Runs |
| Dilip Vengsarkar | 673 |
Dilip Vengsarkar holds the record for the most Test runs scored at the stadium.
Length Of Boundary In Arun Jaitely Stadium
The Arun Jaitley Stadium is known for having relatively short boundaries, which is one reason why it produces many high-scoring IPL and T20 matches.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Boundary Length (Current Approximate Dimensions)
| Straight Boundary | 67–70 meters |
| Square Boundary | 60–65 meters |
| Fine Leg / Third Man Boundary | 55–60 meters |
| Longest Boundary | Around 68–70 meters |
| Shortest Boundary | Around 55–60 meters |
These dimensions can vary slightly from match to match because the boundary ropes are sometimes moved inward or outward based on ICC, BCCI, or IPL requirements. pitch being used in the center square. 60 meters, making the venue one of the highest-scoring cricket grounds in India.”**
IPL at Arun Jaitley Stadium
The stadium has been the home ground of the IPL franchise Delhi Capitals since the inaugural IPL season in 2008.
IPL Highlights
- The home venue of the Delhi Capitals.
- Hosted nearly 100 IPL matches.
- Known for high-scoring games.
- Small boundaries favor aggressive batting.
- One of the most entertaining IPL venues in India.
Memorable IPL Traits
- Frequent 200+ totals.
- High strike rates.
- Spin bowlers still play a major role in the middle overs.
- Packed crowds during Delhi Capitals matches.
Why Arun Jaitley Stadium Is Special
Several factors make this venue unique:
- The second-oldest international cricket stadium in India.
- Rich cricketing history dating back to 1883.
- Venue of Anil Kumble’s perfect 10 wickets.
- Home of the Delhi Capitals.
- Hosted World Cups, T20 World Cups, and IPL classics.
- Famous for both spin-friendly Tests and batting-friendly T20s.
- One of India’s most atmospheric cricket venues.
Conclusion
The Arun Jaitley Stadium is much more than just a cricket ground; it stands as an embodiment of the history of Indian cricket. Founded back in 1883 (then as Feroz Shah Kotla), the venue has seen almost every chapter of Indian cricket—from its struggles on the field in Test format to some IPL pyrotechnics. Having an approximate seating capacity of 41000–48000, Eden Gardens has witnessed world-famous records like a 10-wicket haul by Anil Kumble, an ODI total of 428/5 posted by South Africa, and exciting run-chases in all formats, making it one of the highly honored cricket venues across the globe. Be it a historic Test match, or a World Cup shot at glory, or a high-scoring IPL nail-biter, Arun Jaitley Stadium remains an ever-evolving citadel of cricket and a product of Delhi’s deep-rooted love for the game
FAQs on Arun Jaitley Stadium Capacity and Records
Q1. What is the seating capacity of Arun Jaitley Stadium?
Arun Jaitley Stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 41,842 spectators.
Q2. When was the first Test match played at Arun Jaitley Stadium?
The first Test match at the stadium was played between India and the West Indies in November 1948.
Q3. Which was the first ODI match hosted at Arun Jaitley Stadium?
The first ODI at the stadium was played between India and Sri Lanka on 15 September 1982.
Q4. When did Arun Jaitley Stadium host its first T20 International match?
The stadium hosted its first T20I match between England and Afghanistan during the 2016 ICC World T20.
Q5. What is the most famous cricket record at Arun Jaitley Stadium?
Anil Kumble’s historic 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999 is the stadium’s most iconic record.
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