The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is a world-class cricket ground located in Hyderabad, Telangana.
Established in 2003, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium has a maximum capacity of around 40,000 and is the home ground of the Indian T20 League franchise Team Hyderabad.
Also known as the Uppal Stadium, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium is owned and operated by Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA).
The HCA previously staged its home matches at the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in the Fateh Maidan Sports Complex in central Hyderabad.
Visaka Industries Limited won the open auction for the funding of the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium with a bid worth ₹65,00,00,000. It was named as Visakha International Cricket Stadium in 2004 after a sum of ₹43,00,00,000 was paid in advance.
However, former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy changed the name of the stadium to Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in memory of Rajiv Gandhi, a former Prime Minister of India. HCA later acquired the stadium by paying an amount of ₹43,00,00,000 to Visakkha.
The Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium staged its first international match, a One-Day International (ODI) played between India and South Africa in November 2005. The visitors won the ODI by five wickets.
Five years later, it hosted its first Test match that featured India and New Zealand which ended in a draw.
Later in December 2019, the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium staged its first T20 international played between India and West Indies. Under the leadership of Virat Kohli, India won the first T20I at the venue by six wickets. Since then, it has hosted one more T20I so far.
With that being said, let’s have a look at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium T20I records and stats.
Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium T20I records and stats
Highest total
The Indian cricket team holds the record for the highest total at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in T20 international cricket. The Virat Kohli-led India recorded 209/4 in their successful chase of West Indies’ 207/5 in the first T20I of a three-match series in December 2019. Chasing a huge total, India rode on captain Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 94 off 50 balls and KL Rahul’s 40-ball 62 to chase down the target in just 18.4 overs in Hyderabad. Earlier, Shimron Hetmyer (56), Evin Lewis (40) and captain Kieron Pollard (37) powered West Indies to 207/5 in their 20 overs. India later won the three-match T20I series 2-1.
Lowest total
The Australia cricket team has registered the lowest total at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in T20 international cricket. Put in to bat, Australia posted 186/7 in their 20 overs against India in the third and final T20I in September 2022. Tim David (54) and Cameron Green (52) scored fifties for Australia. In reply, Suryakumar Yadav (69) and Virat Kohli (63) slammed match-winning fifties to guide India to a six-wicket win in Hyderabad. With the impressive chase in 19.5 overs, India also clinched the three-match T20I series 2-1.
Most runs
India’s star batter Virat Kohli has recorded the most runs at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in the T20I format. The former India cricket team captain has amassed 157 runs in just two matches at an average of 157 and a strike rate of 160.20. He has slammed two T20I fifties at this venue. India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav features second on the list with 69 runs in a solitary T20I at an impressive strike rate of 191.66.
Most wickets
India spinners Axar Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal share the record for the most wickets at this venue in the T20 international format. Left-arm spinner Axar Patel bagged three wickets in one T20I at an average of 11 and an economy of 8.25. Leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has also picked up three T20I wickets in two matches at this ground at an average of 19.33 and an economy of 7.25.
Highest individual score
India talisman Virat Kohli registered the highest individual score at this ground in T20 international cricket. During the first T20I of West Indies’ tour of India in December 2019, Virat Kohli scored 94 not out off just 50 balls to help the hosts chase down 208 in 18.4 overs. Virat Kohli’s match-winning knock was laced with six fours and six maximums.
Best bowling figures
India spinner Axar Patel has the best bowling figures at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in T20 international cricket. The talented left-arm spinner recorded match-winning figures of 3/33 against Australia in the third and final T20I of the series in Hyderabad in September 2022. Axar Patel dismissed captain Aaron Finch, Josh Inglis and wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade to restrict Australia to 186/7 in their 20 overs. Later, India rode on twin fifties from Suryakumar Yadav and Virat Kohli to register a six-wicket win.
Highest partnership
India’s Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav hold the record for the highest partnership at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in T20 international cricket. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav forged a match-winning 104-run stand for the third wicket against Australia in the final T20I of a three-match series in September 2022. While Suryakumar Yadav hammered 36-ball 69, Virat Kohli scored 63 off 48 balls to help India chase down Australia’s 186/7 in 19.5 overs in Hyderabad.
Photo credit: Imago
