The R Premadasa Stadium is one of the most renowned cricket venues located in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Also named Khettarama Stadium or Ranasinghe Premadasa Stadium, the R Premadasa Stadium has a seating capacity of 35,000 and is the largest stadium in Sri Lanka.
Established in 1986, it has hosted several high-profile tournaments including the ICC Champions Trophy 2002, the ICC World Cup 2011, and the ICC World T20 2012.
The R Premadasa Stadium staged its first One-Day International (ODI) match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in 1986. Led by John Wright, New Zealand won the match by six wickets. Since then, it has hosted more than 100 ODIs.
Let’s have a look at R Premadasa Stadium ODI records and stats:
R Premadasa ODI records and stats
Highest team total
The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest team total at the R Premadasa Stadium in ODI cricket. During the fourth ODI of India’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2017, the Virat Kohli-led side posted a huge total of 375/5 in their 50 overs. Rohit Sharma scored 104, while Kohli smashed a 96-ball 131 to help India register a record ODI total at the venue. India later bowled out Sri Lanka for 207 in 42.4 overs to secure a massive 168-run victory in Colombo. India whitewashed Sri Lanka 5-0 in the five-match ODI series.
Lowest team total
The Sri Lanka national cricket team recorded the lowest team total at the R Premadasa Stadium in ODI format. After electing to bat first, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 50 in 15.2 overs against India in the Asia Cup 2023 final in Colombo. Wicketkeeper-batter Kusal Mendis top-scored for Sri Lanka with 17 while Dushan Hemantha remained unbeaten on 13. For India, pacer Mohammed Siraj was the wrecker-in-chief after he produced a match-winning spell of 6/21 in his seven overs. Later, openers Ishan Kishan (23 not out) and Shubman Gill (27 not out) helped India chase down the required target in just 6.1 overs to register a dominating 10-wicket win in Colombo.
Most runs
Former Sri Lankan cricketer Sanath Jayasuriya holds the record for the most runs at this venue in ODI cricket. Between 1992 and 2009, the flamboyant left-hander amassed 2,514 runs in 71 matches at an average of 38.67 and a strike rate of 89.37. He slammed four hundreds and 19 fifties in the ODI format at this ground. Another Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara is second on the list with 2,156 runs in 62 ODI matches on this ground.
Most wickets
Legendary Sri Lankan cricketer Muthiah Muralidaran bagged the most wickets at the R Premadasa Stadium in ODI cricket. The former off-spinner picked up 75 wickets in 57 matches at an average of 26.33 and an economy of 3.86. He registered best bowling figures of 5/44 on this ground in the ODI format. Former all-rounder Sanath Jayasuriya features second on the list with 60 wickets in 71 ODIs.
Highest individual score
Kumar Sangakkara holds the record for the highest individual score at this venue in the ODI format. The southpaw scored 169 off 137 balls during the first ODI of South Africa’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2013. Sangakkara’s scintillating knock helped the hosts post 320/5 in their 50 overs. His knock was laced with 18 fours and six maximums. Chasing 321, South Africa were skittled out for 140 in 31.5 overs as the hosts registered a 180-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Best bowling figures
Sri Lanka’s Wanindu Hasaranga holds the record for the best bowling figures at the R Premadasa Stadium in ODI cricket. During the third ODI of Zimbabwe's tour of Sri Lanka 2024, Wanindu Hasaranga registered match-winning figures of 7/17 in Colombo. Hasaranga dismissed Joylord Gumbie, Takudzwanashe Kaitano, captain Craig Ervine, Milton Shumba, Clive Madande, Wellington Masakadza and Blessing Muzarabani to bowl out Zimbabwe for 96 in 22.5 overs. Sri Lanka later won the game by eight wickets (DLS method).
Highest partnership
Former India cricketers Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly hold the record for the highest partnership at the R Premadasa Stadium in the ODI format. Electing to bat first against Sri Lanka in the Singer-Akai Nidahas Trophy final in 1998, Tendulkar and Ganguly forged a massive 252-run stand for the opening wicket. Ganguly’s 109 and Tendulkar’s 128 powered India to 307/6 in 50 overs. India later bowled out Sri Lanka for 301 in 49.3 overs to register a nail-biting six-run victory.
Photo credit: Alamy