Delhi’s famous Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, which was renamed as Arun Jaitley Stadium after the former union minister and DDCA (Delhi & District Cricket Association) president in September 2019, was established in 1883.
However, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the iconic stadium held its first Test match. The Arun Jaitley Stadium hosted the first Test match during West Indies’ tour of India in the 1948-49 season with John Goddard leading the visitors.
What makes the Arun Jaitley Stadium stand out from the rest is its pitch that is both batting and bowling friendly. Over the years, the venue has seen contrasting records like Anil Kumble getting a 10-wicket haul against Pakistan and India’s Hemu Adhikari and Ghulam Ahmed forging a 109-run tenth wicket stand.
Not only records, but the Arun Jaitley Stadium has also witnessed some historic cricket moments over the years. While Sunil Gavaskar scored his 29th Test ton in 1983-84 to equal Don Bradman’s record for the most Test centuries on this ground, years later in 2005-06, Sachin Tendulkar broke Gavaskar’s Test century record with his 35th Test hundred here.
Arun Jaitley Stadium T20I Records
Highest total: The highest T20I total at the Arun Jaitley Stadium was made by India when they scored 211/4 against South Africa in 2022. Put to bat first, India rode on Ishan Kishan's 48-ball 76 and Hardik Pandya's quickfire 31 off 12 balls to help India cross 200.
Lowest total: The lowest T20I total at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is 120 all out by Sri Lanka while facing South Africa in a group match of the 2016 ICC T20I World Cup. Batting first, the Lankans were bundled out in 19.3 overs and South Africa chased down the target with 14 balls and eight wickets to spare.
Best bowling: The best bowling figures at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is Chris Jordan’s 4/28, in England’s group match against Sri Lanka at the 2016 T20 World Cup. After England batted first to set up a target of 172 runs, Sri Lanka were restricted to 161/8.
Highest partnership: The highest partnership in a T20I match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is 158 runs forged by openers Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan while batting first against New Zealand in 2017. India had set up a target of 203 and the Kiwis eventually fell short by 53 runs.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Indian T20 League records
Most runs: Quite unsurprisingly, the Nawab of Najafgarh and Delhi cricketer Virender Sehwag holds the mantle of most runs scored at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in the Indian T20 League. Sehwag played for two teams - Delhi and Punjab - in his Indian T20 League career and tallied 933 runs at the iconic venue. Sehwag has played 104 Indian T20 League matches, scoring 2,728 runs.
Most wickets: Yet another local lad, Amit Mishra has been the most lethal bowler in Indian T20 League at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. The veteran spinner, who is currently playing for Delhi, has a whopping 166 wickets to his name in the tournament and 58 of his scalps have come at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
Highest individual score: The highest score in the Indian T20 League at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is 128 by Chris Gayle. Playing against Delhi in 2012, the towering southpaw hit 13 sixes and seven boundaries to score 128 runs in 62 balls as Bangalore posted 215/1 runs in 20 overs. Delhi fell short by 21 runs in the end.
Best bowling figures: The best bowling figure recorded in the Indian T20 league at the Arun Jaitley Stadium is 5/13 by Mumbai’s Lasith Malinga. The speedster led the attack against Delhi in 2011 skittling them out for just 95 runs. Mumbai won the match in 17 overs and with eight wickets remaining.
Featured Picture: AFP/ Xavier Galiana
