India has many batting-friendly cricket grounds, and Rajkot is one of the best examples. The Niranjan Shah Stadium, also known as Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, is located near the Jamnagar Highway in Rajkot, Gujarat.
The stadium was opened in 2009 and is spread across nearly 30 acres of land. It is the home ground of Saurashtra, one of India’s strongest domestic teams. Big names like Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravindra Jadeja have dominated attacks here, which clearly shows how good this wicket is for batting.
The two international ends at this venue are not officially named. Below, we look at the pitch behaviour and full international records at this ground.
Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Rajkot
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Khandheri, Rajkot, Gujarat, India |
| Also Known As | Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium |
| Opened | 2009 |
| Capacity | 28,000 |
| Home Team | Saurashtra |
| Flood Lights | Yes |
| Pitch | Grass |
| Time Zone | UTC +05:30 |
Niranjan Shah Stadium Pitch Report: Batting or Bowling?
The pitch at Niranjan Shah Stadium is clearly batting-friendly.
- The surface is flat and hard, offering true bounce.
- Fast bowlers may get some help with the new ball, but it does not last long.
- Once batters get set, scoring becomes very easy.
- Spinners come into play only when the pitch slows down late in the match.
Most international matches played here have been high-scoring, and teams batting first usually enjoy an advantage.
Overall, this is a dream pitch for batters, especially in ODIs and T20Is.
Read Also: Most Beautiful Cricket Stadium in the World
Niranjan Shah Stadium Records: Overall Cricket Format Ground Figures
| Format | Played | Bat | Bowl | Inaugural Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2016 |
| One-Day Internationals | 7 | 6 | 1 | 2013 |
| Twenty20 Internationals | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2013 |
Niranjan Shah Stadium Test Records
| Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 3 |
| Matches won batting first | 2 |
| Matches won bowling first | 0 |
| Average 1st Inns score | 543 |
| Average 2nd Inns score | 329 |
| Average 3rd Inns score | 295 |
| Average 4th Inns score | 147 |
| Highest total recorded | 649/9 by IND vs WI |
| Lowest total recorded | 122/10 by ENG vs IND |
Niranjan Shah Stadium ODI Records
| Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 7 |
| Matches won batting first | 6 |
| Matches won bowling first | 1 |
| Average 1st Inns score | 332 |
| Average 2nd Inns score | 254 |
| Highest total recorded | 435/5 by INDW vs IREW |
| Lowest total recorded | 131/10 by IREW vs INDW |
| Highest score chased | 241/4 by INDW vs IREW |
| Lowest score defended | 270/7 by RSA vs IND |
Niranjan Shah Stadium T20I Records
| Stats | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Matches | 6 |
| Matches won batting first | 4 |
| Matches won bowling first | 2 |
| Average 1st Inns score | 186 |
| Average 2nd Inns score | 146 |
| Highest total recorded | 228/5 by IND vs SL |
| Lowest total recorded | 87/10 by RSA vs IND |
| Highest score chased | 202/4 by IND vs AUS |
| Lowest score defended | 171/9 by ENG vs IND |
Niranjan Shah Stadium Weather Report (January)
| Location | Weather | Temperature | Rain Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rajkot | Clear & Dry | 18–28°C | Very Low |
Rajkot usually offers dry and clear weather, which is perfect for uninterrupted cricket.
FAQs
Q1. What is the seating capacity of Niranjan Shah Stadium?
Ans. The stadium can host around 28,000 spectators.
Q2. Is Niranjan Shah Stadium batting or bowling friendly?
Ans. It is mostly batting-friendly, especially in ODIs and T20Is.
Q3. Are high-scoring matches common in Rajkot?
Ans. Yes, this ground is known for big totals and aggressive batting.
