An exquisite piece of modern sports architecture, crafted with the same perfection as Lucknow’s famous ‘Chikan’ embroidery work! Standing tall in the lap of the Gomti River is the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, globally known in short as the ‘Ekana Stadium.’ Inaugurated in 2017, this ground is one of the most modern and technologically advanced international cricket stadiums, not just in Uttar Pradesh, but in the entire country. This field represents a magnificent fusion of the heritage of the City of Nawabs and the modern excitement of T20 cricket.
Do you know why hitting sixes is a massive challenge for batters on this ground due to it having one of the longest boundary lines in India? Or what is the back story of that high-voltage, low-scoring thriller between India and England during the 2023 ODI World Cup? In today’s special report, we will discuss the unknown facts of the Ekana Stadium, the secrets of its pitch, and the history of how it became the undefeated fortress of Lucknow Super Giants...
Location and Full Identity
The stadium is located in a modern and well-planned suburban area of Lucknow:
- Country: India
- State: Uttar Pradesh
- City: Lucknow
- Specific Area: It is located next to Sultanpur Road, inside the ‘Ekana Sportz City’ complex in Gomti Nagar Extension.
- Transport: Excellent roadway connectivity is available for spectators via Shaheed Path Road, as well as via the Charbagh or Hazratganj stations of the Lucknow Metro.
Another Popular Name of the Stadium
Although it is officially named the “Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium” in records to honor India’s former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, it is widely known among the general public as the “Ekana Stadium.” The word ‘Ekana’ originates from a name of Lord Vishnu, which translates to ‘singular’ or ‘unique.’
Spectator Capacity
This is one of the largest all-seater stadiums in India.
- Spectator Capacity: 50,000 (Fifty Thousand) spectators can enjoy a match together in this stadium, making it the fifth-largest international cricket stadium in India in terms of capacity.
- Specialty: Modern ergonomic chairs are used across the entire gallery for seating. Additionally, luxurious corporate boxes and lounge facilities are available for corporate and VIP guests.
Size and Massive Structure
In terms of architectural style, Ekana is one of the best-designed stadiums in the world.
- Design and Shape: The stadium has a perfectly circular Bowl Shape.
- Specialty: A major feature of this stadium’s gallery is that there are no pillars or columns between the spectator stands. As a result, an unobstructed 360-degree view of the field is available. Furthermore, its straight boundary is about 81 meters long, which is one of the longest boundaries in India.
History of Establishment and First Match
Built under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, this stadium has transformed the sports landscape of Uttar Pradesh.
- Year Established: The stadium was inaugurated in 2017.
- Construction Cost: Approximately 360 Crore Rupees were spent to build it.
- First International Match: International cricket made its grand debut on this ground on November 6, 2018, with a historic T20 International (T20I) match between India and the West Indies.
Historical Records and Important Events
Despite being a relatively new stadium, Ekana has already witnessed several iconic records:
- Rohit Sharma’s Fourth T20I Century: In the inaugural international match in 2018, Rohit Sharma played a magnificent innings of 111* runs here, setting a world record as the first batter globally to hit 4 centuries in T20Is.
- Reason for Becoming Afghanistan’s Home Ground: Due to security and infrastructural limitations at home, hosting international cricket was not possible in Afghanistan. Therefore, the BCCI extended a friendly hand, allowing the Afghanistan team to play in India. Owing to its advanced facilities, Afghanistan chose this Ekana Stadium as their official ‘home ground’ during the 2019-2020 season and played a bilateral series against the West Indies here.
- 2023 World Cup Thriller: In the 2023 ODI World Cup, India snatched an unforgettable 100-run victory on this slow wicket by bowling out England for just 129 runs.
The Secret of Pitch and Soil
- Soil Type: The main square of Ekana features a total of 9 pitches, which are prepared using a mixture of India’s traditional Red Soil and special Black Soil brought from Odisha.
- Features: Historically, this pitch is somewhat slow and spin-friendly. As the match progresses, the ball turns, making it difficult for batters to score runs. However, pacers get good bounce on the new red soil pitches.
Drainage System
Modern technology has been installed here to ensure that matches are not washed out even during heavy rainfall.
- Water Drainage: An advanced sub-surface (underground) pipeline drainage system is located beneath the field, which rapidly absorbs surface water.
- Ready-to-Play Time: If the sky clears after a heavy downpour, this field can be prepared again for an international match in just 20 to 30 minutes.
IPL Home Ground and First Match
- First IPL Match: The grand festival of the IPL started on this ground on April 1, 2023, with a match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC). Lucknow secured a massive 50-run victory in their very first home match.
- Home Team: This is the primary fortress of the powerful IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). During the IPL season, keeping in tune with the culture of Lucknow, the entire stadium gets adorned in dark blue and echoes with the slogan ‘Adaab Lucknow.’
Quick View of Key Facts
| Feature | Detailed Information |
| Official Name | Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium |
| Popular Name | Ekana Stadium |
| Construction Cost | Approximately 360 Crore Rupees |
| Location | Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Spectator Seats | 50,000 (All-Seater) |
| First International Match | India vs West Indies (2018) |
| First IPL Match | Lucknow vs Delhi (April 1, 2023) |
| IPL Home Team | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) |
| Soil Type | Red and Black Soil |
| Drainage System | 20–30 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When was the first Test match played at Ekana Stadium?
The lone Test match between Afghanistan and the West Indies from November 27–29, 2019, was hosted on this ground.
What are the names of the two ends of this stadium and why are they named so?
The two ends of this ground are named the North End and the South End. These names are generally given based on the geographical location and directions of the field. The main reason is that these geographical names greatly help bowlers and captains properly understand the direction of sunlight and wind flow during a cricket match.
Which other teams use this ground as a home venue apart from Lucknow Super Giants?
In domestic cricket, it is used as the home ground for the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Team, and in the WPL, it serves as the home ground for the UP Warriorz.
Conclusion:
The Ekana Cricket Stadium stands as a brilliant symbol of the modern sports revolution in North India. Its dazzling floodlights, the enchanting view of the pillarless gallery, and the refined passion of the Lucknow crowd have earned it a unique place in world cricket. If you want to experience the absolute thrill of competitive cricket alongside modern facilities, this modern fortress in the City of Nawabs should definitely be high on your checklist.
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