Opened in 2012, the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium is a world class cricket venue located on the outskirts of Pune at Gahunje.
Located beside Mumbai-Pune Expressway, the state-of-the-art facility has been designed by Michael Hopkins. The 37,000-seat stadium replaced the Nehru Stadium in Pune to host international cricket matches in the city.
Inaugurated by then BCCI and ICC president Sharad Pawar, the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium hosted its first Indian T20 League match between Team Punjab and now-defunct franchise Team Pune in April 2012.
The venue hosted its first T20 International match between India and England in December 2012. Since then, it has staged seven ODIs, three T20Is and two Tests.
The stadium has hosted 38 Indian T20 League matches and several domestic matches in the shortest format.
With that said, let’s have a look at the T20 records at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Indian T20 League records at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
Highest team total: MS Dhoni-led Team Chennai posted the highest team total at this venue in the 2018 edition of the Indian T20 League. Put into bat, Chennai rode on Shane Watson’s 40-ball 78 and skipper Dhoni’s unbeaten 51 off 22 balls to power their side to 211/4 in their quota of 20 overs. In reply, Delhi gave a great fight but fell short by 13 runs.
Lowest team total: Team Punjab hold the embarrassing record of registering the lowest team total at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in the Indian T20 League. Punjab were bundled out for just 73 against Pune during the 2017 edition. After electing to field first, then Pune pacer Shardul Thakur picked three wickets while left-arm fast bowler Jaydev Unadkat and leg-spinner Adam Zampa bagged two wickets each. For Punjab, Axar Patel was the highest run-getter as he scored 22 runs off 20 balls. Steve Smith’s Pune won the match by nine wickets.
Best bowling figures: Team Chennai fast bowler Lungi Ngidi has the best bowling figures against Team Punjab at this ground in the Indian T20 League. During the 2018 edition of Indian T20 League, Ngidi bagged four wickets for just 10 runs in his quota of four overs to help his side restrict Punjab to a below par total of 153. Chennai chased down the target in 19.1 overs with five wickets in hand.
Highest partnership: Team Kolkata’s successful batting pair of captain Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa hold the record for the highest partnership against Team Pune at this venue in Indian T20 League. Chasing a competitive target of 183, Gambhir (62) and Uthappa (87) stitched a 158-run stand for the second wicket to help Kolkata claim a commanding victory.
Most runs: Former Pune captain Steve Smith has scored the most runs at this venue in the Indian T20 League history. The right-handed batter has amassed 647 runs at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Most wickets: South Africa’s Imran Tahir has picked the most wickets at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Indian T20 League. The former Chennai leg-spinner claimed 15 wickets at this venue.
Domestic T20 records at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
Highest team total: Gujarat has posted the highest team total at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in domestic cricket. Gujarat posted 182/7 against Saurashtra in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy in 2015.
Lowest team total: Gujarat also hold the record for recording the lowest team total at this venue. They were restricted to just 87/8 in their 20 overs by Mumbai during the 2015 edition of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Most wickets: Mumbai fast bowler Shardul Thakur has taken the most wickets at this venue in domestic cricket. The India international has picked 19 wickets at this bowling-friendly venue.
Best bowling figures: Baroda bowling all-rounder Swapnil Singh has the best bowling figures at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in domestic cricket. The left-arm orthodox bowler took six wickets for 19 runs against Saurashtra during the 2015 edition of Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Featured photo: INDRANIL MUKHERJEE / SAJJAD HUSSAIN / AFP
