Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow. Photo: Escpl / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0

Overview

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, commonly referred to as the Ekana Cricket Stadium, serves as the primary home ground for the Lucknow Super Giants franchise in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Located in Lucknow, India, this international cricket venue is a key fixture in the domestic T20 landscape. The stadium features a seating capacity of 50,000 spectators, establishing it as the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India. The arena was officially renamed in 2018 to honor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the 10th Prime Minister of India, reflecting its national significance beyond its role as a sporting venue.

As the designated home for the Lucknow Super Giants, the Ekana Stadium has hosted numerous IPL matches since the franchise's inception. The venue's first recorded T20 match took place in 2023, marking the beginning of its tenure as a regular stop on the IPL circuit. The stadium's dimensions and pitch characteristics have influenced match outcomes, contributing to the strategic depth of games played under the floodlights in Lucknow.

With a capacity of 50,000, the stadium offers a substantial atmosphere for cricket fans, accommodating large crowds during peak IPL seasons. Its status as the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India underscores its importance in the hierarchy of domestic venues. The Ekana Stadium continues to be a central hub for T20 cricket in northern India, providing a competitive environment for both batting and bowling across various IPL encounters.

Venue Profile

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is an international cricket venue located in Lucknow, India. The stadium holds a seating capacity of 50,000, ranking it as the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India. The venue serves as the home ground for the Lucknow Super Giants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). It is also the home ground for the Uttar Pradesh men's and women's cricket teams, as well as the UP Warriorz franchise.

Construction of the stadium was commissioned in 2014. The development was executed through a public-private partnership between Ekana Sportz City and the Lucknow Development Authority. The project operated on a budget of 360 crores. The stadium was leased for a period of 35 years, extending through 2052. The venue was renamed in 2018 to honor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India's 10th Prime Minister.

The stadium hosted its first T20 match in 2023. This marked the debut of the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL, establishing the Ekana Stadium as a key venue for the league. The venue is utilized for various cricket formats, including T20 Internationals and domestic matches, leveraging its international status and modern facilities.

As a primary venue for the IPL, the stadium contributes to the competitive landscape of the league. The Lucknow Super Giants have utilized the ground for their home fixtures since the 2023 season. The stadium's infrastructure supports large crowds, with its 50,000-seat capacity allowing for significant spectator engagement during matches. The partnership between Ekana Sportz City and the Lucknow Development Authority has ensured the venue remains a central hub for cricket in the region.

The stadium's role in the IPL continues to grow as the league expands. The venue's modern amenities and strategic location in Lucknow make it a preferred choice for hosting high-profile matches. The 35-year lease agreement provides long-term stability for the venue's operations, ensuring it remains a vital part of the Indian cricket infrastructure. The stadium's capacity and facilities support the demands of both domestic and international cricket, making it a versatile venue for various tournaments.

IPL Statistics and Records

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, serves as a key venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL). The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000. It was renamed in 2018 after India's 10th Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Between 2023-04-01 and 2026-05-23, the venue hosted 29 IPL matches. The following records are derived from available Cricsheet data for this period.

Team Totals

The highest team total recorded at this venue is 235/6, scored by Kolkata Knight Riders against Lucknow Super Giants on 2024-05-05.

The lowest team total recorded is 1/2, scored by Lucknow Super Giants against Kolkata Knight Riders on 2026-04-26.

Individual Records

Available data does not capture the highest individual score at this venue across this competition. Available data does not capture the best bowling figures at this venue across this competition.

What are the individual records at Ekana Stadium in the IPL?

Individual Records at Ekana Stadium in the IPL

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has hosted several notable individual performances since its inaugural IPL match in 2023. The venue, which holds a capacity of 50,000 spectators, has seen significant contributions from both batters and bowlers representing the Lucknow Super Giants and their opponents.

The highest individual score recorded at this venue in the IPL is 118 runs. This milestone was achieved by RR Pant of the Lucknow Super Giants on 2025-05-27. Pant's innings stands as the benchmark for batting excellence at the Ekana Stadium, highlighting the potential for high-scoring chases or dominant starts in the T20 format at this ground.

On the bowling front, the best figures recorded at the stadium are 5 wickets for 12 runs. This performance was delivered by MA Wood on 2023-04-01. Wood's spell represents the most economical and wicket-taking individual bowling effort in the IPL history of the venue, demonstrating the pitch's ability to assist bowlers, particularly in the early stages of the competition or under specific match conditions.

These records reflect the competitive nature of matches played at the Ekana Stadium. The venue has facilitated both explosive batting displays, as evidenced by Pant's century, and precise bowling performances, as shown by Wood's five-wicket haul. As the IPL continues to evolve, these individual achievements serve as key statistical markers for players and analysts evaluating performance at this Lucknow-based international cricket stadium.

International Cricket History

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, serves as a primary venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL). The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000, making it the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India. The venue was renamed in 2018 after India's 10th Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

While the stadium hosted its first T20 match in 2023, its international cricket history began earlier. The venue made its international debut on 6 November 2018 with a T20I between India and the West Indies. The stadium also hosted matches during the 2023 Men's Cricket World Cup, hosting five matches in total. During that tournament, South Africa recorded the highest ODI score at the venue, posting 311-7 in 2023. The venue has also been used by Afghanistan, notably in 2019.

As an IPL venue, the stadium is the home ground for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). The first T20 match at the Ekana Stadium was played in 2023. Specific statistical records for the IPL competition at this venue, such as the highest team total, lowest team total, or individual batting and bowling records, are not captured in the available data. The stadium's dimensions, surface type, and end names are also not specified in the current records.

Pitch and Conditions

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, located in Lucknow, India, serves as a key venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL). The stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000, making it the fifth largest international cricket stadium in India. The venue was renamed in 2018 to honor Atal Bihari Vajpayee, India's 10th Prime Minister. The first T20 match at this stadium was played in 2023.

The pitch characteristics at the Ekana Stadium are defined by its boundary dimensions. The venue features the longest straight boundaries in comparison to all stadiums in India. This specific layout influences batting strategies, requiring batsmen to cover more distance for runs along the straight path compared to other Indian venues. The general nature of the pitch is reflected in the scores observed during IPL matches held at the ground. High and low scores recorded in these matches provide insight into the pitch's behavior, indicating how the surface responds to batting and bowling conditions. The combination of the long straight boundaries and the pitch's scoring patterns creates a distinct playing environment for teams competing in the IPL.

Available data does not capture the highest individual score at this venue across this competition. Specific match scores, player records, and detailed statistical breakdowns of innings are not provided in the current source material. The focus remains on the structural attributes of the stadium and its role in the IPL since 2023. The stadium's capacity and boundary dimensions are the primary factual elements documented for this venue in the available records.

See also