Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, formerly known as Ekana Cricket Stadium, is an international cricket stadium in Lucknow, India. It is the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India, with a seating capacity of 50,000. The stadium was inaugurated in 2017 and has hosted a number of international matches, including Test matches, One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is).

Naming of the stadium

• In 2018, the stadium underwent a renaming process.
• The new name was dedicated to the former Indian Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
• Atal Bihari Vajpayee was a native of Lucknow, India.
• He had a strong passion for the game of cricket.
• Vajpayee also held the honorary position of patron-in-chief at the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA).
• The UPCA is the governing body responsible for owning and managing the stadium.

Facilities and amenities

The Ekana Cricket Stadium is a state-of-the-art facility with world-class amenities. It has a well-maintained outfield, a pitch that is known for its good batting and bowling conditions, and a floodlit system that allows for day-night matches. The stadium also has a number of other facilities, including a press box, a commentary box, a media center, and a VIP lounge.

International matches hosted

• Ekana Cricket Stadium, established in 2017, has a rich history of hosting international matches.
• The stadium’s inaugural international match took place in November 2019, featuring a T20I match between India and Bangladesh.
• It also made history by hosting the first-ever Test match in Lucknow during the same month, where India faced South Africa.
• Alongside international matches, the stadium has been a venue for numerous domestic cricket fixtures, including Indian Premier League (IPL) matches and the prestigious Ranji Trophy.
• The Lucknow Super Giants, representing Lucknow in the IPL, call the Ekana Cricket Stadium their home ground, adding to its significance in the world of cricket.

Upcoming matches

The Ekana Cricket Stadium is scheduled to host a number of international matches in the coming years. In 2023, the stadium is scheduled to host five matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup, including a blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan.

Interesting Points Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium

• The stadium is the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India, with a seating capacity of 50,000.
• The stadium has the longest straight boundaries in India, at 110 meters.
• The stadium has a floodlit system that allows for day-night matches.
• The stadium has a number of other facilities, including a press box, a commentary box, a media center, and a VIP lounge.
• The stadium was renamed after former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee in 2018.
• The stadium hosted its first international match in November 2019, a T20I between India and Bangladesh.
• The stadium is scheduled to host five matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023, including a blockbuster clash between India and Pakistan.

Conclusion

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is a world-class cricket venue that has hosted a number of international matches since its inauguration in 2017. The stadium is known for its excellent facilities and amenities, and its well-maintained pitch. The Ekana Cricket Stadium is set to host a number of international matches in the coming years, including five matches of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2023.