Sardar Patel Stadium

Sardar Patel Stadium is one of the premier Cricket stadiums of India located in the Motera locality of Ahmedabad. Because of its location, the stadium is commonly called Motera Stadium to avoid confusion with another stadium of the same name in Navrangpura locality of Ahmedabad. Sardar Patel stadium is owned by Gujarat Cricket Association and comes under the aegis of the West Zone. It is the largest stadium in the state of Gujarat, and has an official capacity of 54,000 spectators. It is equipped with floodlights for day-and-night games and is a regular venue for Test cricket and One Day Internationals (ODI) matches.

Formerly known as the Gujarat Stadium, the ground was later renamed in tribute to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first Home Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. Apart from cricket, the ground has played host to a number of programs arranged by the Government of Gujarat. The pitch once favoured the bowlers, but has lately been host to competitive games.As of December 2011, the Motera stadium has played host to 23 ODI matches. In India, only Eden Gardens (26 ODI matches) has hosted more ODI matches than Motera Stadium.The stadium was also one of the host venues for 2011 Cricket World Cup held in India. It hosted 3 matches, including a Quarter final match between India and Australia.

 

All stands are roof covered and have two tiers, barring the Club pavilion and West pavilion. The media is also well taken care of, with an air-conditioned press box. Press box is wi-fi enabled and also has a multi purpose media conference room. The stadium has car-park for 10,000 vehicles.The Adani Pavilion also houses more than 20 air-conditioned corporate boxes.There are 21 entry gates to the stadium making it easier for spectators to enter the stands.

 

History and Development
Before Sardar Patel Stadium (Motera Stadium) came into existence, International cricket matches in the city were played at Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation's stadium of the same name (Sardar Patel Stadium) in the Navrangpura locality of the city. In 1982, the Government of Gujarat donated a 50-acre (200,000 sqm) stretch of land on the banks of the Sabarmati River for the construction of new stadium.

The construction of the Sardar Patel Stadium was carried out in a span of nine months and since then all International cricket fixtures for the city are hosted here. The stadium hosted its first International Test match on 12 November 1983 between India and the West Indies. Later in the 1984–85 Australia-India series, Sardar Patel Stadium went on to host its first ODI, one in which Australia beat the Indians.