The Eden Gardens in Kolkata is historically significant and the biggest stadium in India. Termed “cricket’s answer to the colosseum”, this venue holds a capacity of around 66,000 people after being renovated prior to the 2011 World Cup. Earlier, it was said the stadium could hold up to 1,00,000 people.
This ground holds the record for the highest runs scored by any batsman in an ODI. Rohit Sharma scored a belligerent 264 runs against Sri Lanka in November 2014. Eden Gardens also has hosted the most Test matches in the country – with a total of 42 Tests.
Until now, it has hosted 42 Tests, 32 ODIs and 11 T20Is.
Eden Gardens ODI records and stats
Most runs
Sachin Tendulkar created history on this ground multiple times by smashing a total of 496 runs in 13 ODI matches. His highest score was 100* which he scored off 103 balls against Kenya during the final of a triangular series in 1998. Tendulkar also has an impressive Test record on this ground with 872 runs.
Most wickets
Anil Kumble’s 14 ODI wickets at Eden Gardens makes him the joint-highest wicket-taker on this ground in the 50-over format. Kapil Dev achieved the feat in seven matches as compared to Kumble’s record of six games.
Average 1st innings score
Teams batting first at Eden Gardens have averaged 245 in 32 ODIs while teams batting second have averaged 206. The ground, however, has not favoured teams batting first or second distinctly. The chasing sides have won 12 times, whilst the ones batting first have won 19 times.
Highest individual score
Rohit Sharma’s record-breaking 264 off 173 balls came on this ground against Sri Lanka. With 33 boundaries and nine sixes, Sharma’s innings served as an impetus to take India to 404/5 in 50 overs. Except for Virat Kohli’s half-century, no other batter could even get close to Sharma’s staggering effort.
Best bowling figures
Anil Kumble’s record-breaking six-wicket haul takes the cake here. His assault against West Indies in the final of the Hero Cup on 27th November 1993, resulted in sending the middle order and tailenders back to the pavilion within minutes. Kumble’s 6/12 remains the most destructive effort by any bowler at Eden Gardens till date.
Highest team total
India scored 404/5 against Sri Lanka in the fourth ODI on 13th November 2014 to leave a shattered Sri Lanka at 251 all-out in 43.1 overs. With Rohit Sharma’s humongous 264 runs in the first innings, Dhawal Kulkarni’s four-wicket haul in the second innings made it harder for the Lankans to bag this win at the famed venue.
Lowest total
South Africa holds the unwanted honour of having made the lowest total in ODIs at this venue. Asked to chase a target of 327 by India in match 37 of World Cup 2023, South Africa crumbled under pressure and was skittled out for a mere 83 after India's bowlers led by Ravindra Jadeja ran through the Proteas' batting line-up. Jadeja finished with figures of 5/33 as India registered a 243-run win.
Highest partnership
The Indian duo of Virat Kohli and Gautam Gambhir hold the record for the highest partnership in ODI cricket at the Eden Gardens. Chasing a target of 316 against Sri Lanka in the fourth game of a five-match series, Kohli and Gambhir put on a 224-run stand for the third wicket and helped the Men in Blue chase down the target. Kohli scored 107, while Gambhir remained unbeaten on 150 as India won the game by seven wickets to take an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series.