Cricket enthusiasts cherish stadiums as they bear witness to historic moments, record-breaking performances, and the exhilarating spirit of the game. Lucknow Cricket Stadium, steeped in a rich history and vibrant atmosphere, is no different. Let's explore the notable records that solidify this stadium's significant role in the history of cricket.
Introduction
The BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow was established in 2017. It used to be called the Ekana International Cricket Stadium. It is currently owned by Ekana Sportz City Pvt Ltd. It was initiated as a project by the Uttar Pradesh state government under a public-private partnership (PPP) policy.
With a seating capacity of 50,000, the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium is the sole active venue for international cricket matches in Lucknow. It gained prominence during the first international match between India and the West Indies. It was renamed in honor of former Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
The historic fixture witnessed India's victory by 71 runs, with captain Rohit Sharma achieving his fourth century in T20 Internationals. He had set a record for the most T20I centuries in cricket history. Subsequently, four T20I matches have been played at the stadium. It served as the third home ground for the Afghanistan cricket team in 2019, aside from being the home venue for the Uttar Pradesh cricket team and the new Indian T20 League side Team Lucknow. Let's delve into the T20 records at the BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India.
T20I Records at Ekana, Lucknow Cricket StadiumÂ
Top Team Score
India set the T20I record at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, notching up an impressive 195/2 against West Indies. Rohit Sharma's unbeaten 111 fueled the Men in Blue, overshadowing the Windies who managed a mere 124/9.
Lowest Team Score
New Zealand struggled, posting only 99/8 against India in January 2023, marking the lowest tally at the venue.
Leading Run-Getter
Rohit Sharma takes the spotlight with 111 T20I runs at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium. His spectacular unbeaten 111 against West Indies secures this record. It also stands as the highest individual score on the ground.
Top Partnership
The unmatched duo of Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan crafted a 123-run stand for the opening wicket against West Indies in 2018.
Leading Wicket-Taker
West Indies' pacer Kesrick Williams tops the charts with eight T20I wickets at the ground, boasting an economy rate of 5.91.
Best Bowling Performance
Afghanistan's Karim Janat delivered the best bowling show at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in 2019. His exceptional five-wicket haul for just 11 runs against West Indies led Afghanistan to a 41-run victory.
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Lucknow Cricket Stadium T20 records
Top Team Score
Punjab set the T20 benchmark at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, posting an impressive 197/4 against Goa in their 2021-22 SMAT face-off. Prabhsimran Singh's unbeaten 119 led the charge, steering Punjab to a solid score, while Goa struggled to 116/8 in 20 overs.
Lowest Team Score
Goa faced a tough time in a 2020-21 SMAT clash against Maharashtra, scraping together just 104, marking the lowest total in a T20 game at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium. Despite chasing 178 in 20 overs, Maharashtra's spinner Satyajeet Bachhav (3/27) played a key role in wrapping up Goa's innings in 18.1 overs.
Leading Run Scorer
Punjab's Prabhsimran Singh takes the batting crown with 182 runs at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, boasting an average of 60.66 and an impressive strike rate of 145.60 over four innings.
Highest Individual Score
Prabhsimran Singh not only tops the charts in overall runs but also claims the record for the highest individual score in T20s at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium. His stellar unbeaten 119 off 61 balls, featuring 11 fours and six sixes, came during Punjab's 2021-22 SMAT clash against Goa.
Top Partnership
The dynamic duo of Prabhsimran Singh and Shubman Gill forged a remarkable 118-run stand for the opening wicket against Goa in 2021, marking the highest partnership in T20s at the venue. Gill contributed 40 runs, while Prabhsimran added a significant 76.
Leading Wicket-Taker
Indian pacer Siddarth Kaul dominates the bowling records at this ground, securing nine wickets at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, averaging a wicket every 9.2 balls.
Reference:Â Sportsadda
Lucknow Cricket Stadium Records (Pitch Reports)
The average score in the first eight innings of ODIs at this venue clocks in at 244.
Throughout the current tournament, bowlers have found some support in the daytime, dealing with variations in bounce and a subtle turning of the ball. Once the floodlights kick in, the ball tends to come off the bat quicker, bringing forth a mix of advantages and challenges. Pacers can make the most of these conditions, but it all hinges on their ability to maintain effective control.
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ODI Matches Records
Lucknow Cricket Stadium, a relatively new addition to India's cricket venues, has hosted eight ODIs so far since its debut in 2019. In the latest showdown at this venue, India emerged victorious against England by a substantial 100-run margin.
Despite facing early setbacks with a couple of wickets down, India made a strong comeback, putting up a score of 229/9 on a challenging batting surface. Rohit Sharma played a pivotal role in this recovery, contributing an impressive 87. In response, India's pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami, dismantled the English lineup, dismissing them for a mere 129.
Ekana Cricket Stadium in ODIs
Top Team Score
In the World Cup clash between Australia and South Africa, the Proteas made history by posting 311/7 in the first innings, setting a new benchmark for the highest score at this venue.
Lowest Team Score
England's recent outing here saw them tallying a modest 129 all out, marking the lowest team score by any side in Lucknow.
Leading Individual Score
Shai Hope from West Indies crafted an unbeaten 109 against Afghanistan in 2019, while Quinton de Kock of South Africa joined the centurion club at the venue with his knock of 109 against Australia in the 2023 World Cup.
Best Bowling Performance
The latest match featured India's Mohammed Shami shining with a remarkable 4/22 against England, surpassing Adam Zampa's 4/47 to claim the best bowling figures at the venue. Shami's victims included Jonny Bairstow, Ben Stokes, Moeen Ali, and Adil Rashid.
Most Runs
Shai Hope holds the record for the most runs at Ekana Cricket Stadium in ODIs. During the West Indies and Afghanistan series in 2019, he amassed an impressive 229 runs in three innings, showcasing both a fifty and a hundred at an average of 229. Following closely, Quinton de Kock secured 157 runs in just two innings.
Leading Wicket-Taker
Sri Lanka's Dilshan Madhushanka takes the bowling honors with seven wickets, the highest by any bowler at the venue.
Reference:Â Sportingnews
Conclusion
In conclusion, Lucknow Cricket Stadium stands as a witness to cricketing history, with records that narrate the tales of exceptional performances, thrilling moments, and the spirit of the game. Whether you're a seasoned cricket enthusiast or a casual fan, exploring the records of Lucknow Cricket Stadium is a journey through the heart and soul of the sport.