Overview

The Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground, also referred to as the Polonnaruwa Cricket Ground or National Cricket Ground, Hingurakgoda, is a cricket stadium located in Hingurakgoda within the Polonnaruwa District of Sri Lanka. The venue serves as a host for T20I matches, with its first T20 match recorded in 2021.

The ground was inaugurated on 6 April 2021. The construction of the stadium incurred a cost of Rs. 130 million. It was developed as part of a larger sports complex in the region, aiming to enhance cricketing infrastructure in the Polonnaruwa area.

As of the available data, specific statistical records such as the highest team total, lowest team total, or individual batting and bowling milestones at this venue are not explicitly captured in the provided grounding sources. The stadium's role in the T20I calendar began in 2021, marking its entry into the international T20 stage.

Venue Profile

The Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground, also referred to as the Polonnaruwa Cricket Ground or National Cricket Ground, Hingurakgoda, is a cricket stadium located in Hingurakgoda within the Polonaruwa District of Sri Lanka. The venue serves as a host for T20I matches, with its first T20 match recorded in 2021.

The stadium was inaugurated on 6 April 2021. The construction incurred a cost of Rs. 130 million. The facility was developed as part of a larger sports complex in the region. The project was initiated under the National Pathway Project, which began in 2016. Tenders for the development were issued in 2018, and physical construction commenced in February 2019.

The development of the ground faced several delays. These setbacks were attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and issues regarding archaeological approvals for the site. The venue is situated on a 42 to 43-acre land parcel. The playing field features an 80-metre boundary and includes 10 centre wickets.

T20I Records at Polonnaruwa

T20I Records at Polonnaruwa

The Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground, located in Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa District, Sri Lanka, has hosted T20 International matches since its inauguration in 2021. The stadium was built as part of a large regional sports complex, with construction costs amounting to Rs. 130 million. The venue officially opened on 6 April 2021, marking the beginning of its tenure as a host for international cricket.

Statistical records for T20I matches at this venue are sourced from Cricsheet data, which categorizes these matches under the 'National Stadium' designation. The available data captures specific team and individual performance benchmarks achieved during T20I fixtures held at Polonnaruwa.

The highest team total recorded at the venue is 313/2, scored by Nepal against China on 31 May 2026. This chase highlights the scoring potential of the pitch during that specific encounter. Conversely, the lowest team total documented is 12/2, achieved by Bahrain against Singapore on 4 March 2025, indicating a significant variance in match conditions or performance levels between these two fixtures.

Individual batting records at the ground are led by K Bhurtel, who scored the highest individual score of 129 runs. This performance stands as the benchmark for batting excellence at the Polonnaruwa venue according to the available Cricsheet data. In the bowling department, the best figures recorded are 5/8, achieved by S Vijay Unni. These statistics represent the current extremes of individual performance captured in the dataset for T20I matches played at this location.

As the venue continues to host international fixtures, these records may evolve. However, based on the current data available for T20I matches, the aforementioned scores and performances remain the definitive statistical markers for the Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground. The distinction between the venue's local name and its Cricsheet classification as 'National Stadium' is important for accurate data retrieval and historical tracking of match statistics.

What is the highest team total at Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground?

What is the highest team total at Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground?

The highest team total recorded at the Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground in T20I cricket is 313/2. This record was set by Nepal against China on 31 May 2026. The match took place at the venue located in Hingurakgoda, Polonnaruwa District, Sri Lanka, which was inaugurated on 6 April 2021.

In this specific match, Nepal's batting lineup produced a dominant performance to chase down or post the score of 313 runs for the loss of only two wickets. The innings was anchored by K Bhurtel, who scored 129 runs. Bhurtel's century was a significant component of the team's aggregate score, contributing nearly 41% of the total runs scored by Nepal in that encounter.

The Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground, also known as the National Cricket Ground, Hingurakgoda, was built as part of a large sports complex in the region. The construction of the stadium incurred a cost of Rs. 130 million. Since its first T20 match in 2021, the venue has hosted various T20I fixtures, with the Nepal vs. China match on 31 May 2026 standing out for its high-scoring nature.

The score of 313/2 represents the benchmark for team totals at this ground based on available data. No other team has surpassed this aggregate in T20I matches played at Polonnaruwa as of the 2026 season. The record highlights the venue's potential for high-scoring games, particularly when conditions favor the batsmen. K Bhurtel's individual contribution of 129 runs remains the standout performance associated with this team record.

Who holds the best bowling figures at Polonnaruwa?

The best bowling figures recorded at the Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground in T20I cricket are 5/8, achieved by S Vijay Unni. This performance stands as the venue's premier individual bowling record based on available match data.

S Vijay Unni delivered this spell on 2 June 2026. The figures of 5 wickets for 8 runs represent a significant statistical outlier for a T20I innings, highlighting the effectiveness of the bowler on that specific day. The Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground, located in Hingurakgoda, Polonaruwa District, Sri Lanka, has hosted T20I matches since its first T20 match in 2021. The ground was inaugurated on 6 April 2021 with a construction cost of Rs. 130 million. It is built as part of a large sports complex in the region.

As of 2026, S Vijay Unni's 5/8 remains the benchmark for bowling excellence at this venue. No other bowler has matched or surpassed this combination of wickets and runs conceded in the T20I format at Polonnaruwa. The record underscores the potential for dominant bowling performances on this pitch, which has been in use for international cricket for five years. The venue continues to be a key location for T20I fixtures in Sri Lanka, offering a distinct challenge for both batsmen and bowlers. The specific match details surrounding the 2 June 2026 game are not fully elaborated in the current dataset, but the individual performance of S Vijay Unni is clearly documented as the best bowling figures at the ground.

Pitch and Conditions

The Polonnaruwa National Cricket Ground, also referred to as the Polonnaruwa Cricket Ground or National Cricket Ground, Hingurakgoda, is situated in Hingurakgoda within the Polonaruwa District of Sri Lanka. The venue was inaugurated on 6 April 2021, with a construction cost of Rs. 130 million. It was developed as part of a larger sports complex in the region. The stadium spans an area of 42 to 43 acres, providing substantial space for the playing field and surrounding infrastructure.

The pitch configuration at the venue is notable for its versatility, featuring 10 centre wickets. This setup allows for multiple matches to be played simultaneously or for quick turnaround between games, a feature increasingly common in modern T20 cricket infrastructure. The boundary dimensions are standardized at 80 metres, offering a balanced challenge for both batsmen and fielding sides. This distance is typical for T20I venues, encouraging aggressive batting while maintaining defensive depth.

Specific data regarding the pitch type, such as soil composition, grass cover, or typical bounce and pace characteristics, is not explicitly detailed in the available sources. While the ground has hosted T20I matches since its first T20 match in 2021, detailed statistical breakdowns of pitch behavior—such as average first-inning scores, wicket distribution by bowler type, or the influence of dew—are not captured in the current dataset. Consequently, analysts and fantasy cricket players should rely on match-specific reports rather than historical averages when evaluating conditions at Polonnaruwa.

As of 2026, the venue continues to serve as a key location for Sri Lankan T20I cricket. The lack of extensive historical data means that records such as the highest team total, lowest team total, or individual batting and bowling milestones at this specific ground are not yet fully documented in the available statistics. Future matches will likely provide more granular insights into how the 80-metre boundary and 10 centre wickets influence game outcomes.

See also