Know your 2016 ICC World Twenty20 venues
India is all set to host the sixth edition of the ICC World Twenty20, where sixteen teams will battle it out for the coveted Cup. This is the first time that the country would be hosting the World Cup, which will be held from 8 March to 3 April 2016. The venues are seven stadiums from across the country, which have played host to nail biting games, boisterous and riotous crowds, huge wins and defeats, debut games and goodbyes, and have seen numerous personal records being made and broken.
Here are the ICC World Cup venues and some interesting facts about them:
Eden Gardens, Kolkata: With a capacity of 66,349, the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata is the largest stadium in the country and, at 152 years of age, the oldest in the world. Four matches, along with the final, will be played at the stadium and this will be the second time that the stadium will play host to an ICC World Cup final. Since the first test, that was played way back in 1934, the stadium has been witness to many records that have been made and broken. Former Indian captain and all-rounder, Kapil Dev, registered a hat trick at the stadium against Sri Lanka, while Harbhajan Singh performed a hat trick against Australia in 2001. Sachin Tendulkar’s 199th match, against West Indies, was also held here. The stadium has also seen a number of riots breaking out. Riots broke out during the 1966-67 West Indies tour and 1969/70 Australian tour. The 1996 World Cup semifinal between India and Sri Lanka was awarded to Sri Lanka when rioting crowds forced the officials to stop the match.
M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru: Located in Bengaluru, and with a capacity of 40,000, the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will host three matches. The stadium has been in use since the 1972-73 season, when the first First-class cricket matches were held here. The stadium has a 400 kW solar plant installed on the roof, making it the world’s first solar powered stadium. The stadium was witness to the first highest 1st day score – when India made 365/5, against Pakistan in 2007. The pitch at the stadium is termed as bouncy and pacey, which very few other stadiums are in the country.
Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai: Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium will host four matches, along with the semi-final. The stadium was born out of a dispute between the Bombay Cricket Association (now Mumbai Cricket Association) and the Brabourn Stadium’s caretakers over seating capacity, in 1973, and is home to the world’s richest cricket board - the BCCI. The stadium, which has a capacity of 33,108, hosted the 2011 Cricket World Cup Final between India and Sri Lanka, which India had won. Local boy, While Sachin Tendulkar played his last match here, Sunil Gavaskar scored the maximum number of runs at the stadium – 1122 runs, and Venkatesh Prasad took the highest number of wickets – 15. Wankhede is home to the Mumbai Indians team.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala: The picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, situated in Dharamsala, is famous for its beautiful location – at an altitude of 1,457 metres above sea level and surrounded by mountains. The stadium will host eight group stage matches. With a capacity of 23,000, the stadium has been functional since 2003. Because of its high altitude and the prevailing low temperatures, the stadium is also the first in the country to use winter rye grass scattered in the outfield, which helps prevent the grass from drying up during extremely low temperatures.
Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, New Delhi: Home to the Delhi Daredevils, the Feroze Shah Kotla Grounds will host four matches, including the semi-final. The stadium was constructed in 1883 and is the second oldest stadium in the country. The stadium has a capacity of 40,715, and has been witness to a number of records, including that of the most successful team overall - India with 10 wins. In fact, the Indian team has been undefeated at this ground for over 28 years in Test match and over 10 years in ODIs. This was also the ground where Sachin Tendulkar scored his 35th test ton to overcome Sunil Gavaskar, and hold the record for the most international test centuries.
Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali: Popularly known as the Mohali stadium, the stadium is home to the Punjab team and the Kings XI Punjab. It is a relatively new stadium, constructed in 1993. The stadium was renamed the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in April 2015, in the honour of its former president, IS Bindra. With a capacity of 26,950, the Stadium will host three matches during the ICC World Cup.
Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur: Also known as the New Vidarba Cricket Association stadium, VCA is one of the newest stadiums in the country – having been built in 2008. It has a seating capacity of 45,000 and is the main cricket stadium in Nagpur. New VCA stadium has been lauded by the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting and Shane Warne for its facilities. A total of nine group stage matches will be played here.
