Where To Watch Cricket In India

There is plenty to see on a visit to India. It’s a dense, beautiful and historic country that offers everything from pristine beaches and culturally fascinating small towns to big cities and historic buildings and monuments. You can travel to India to get to know the country, soak in some luxury, or do some more adventurous exploration. There’s just a little bit of everything to enjoy.

What merits some attention and isn’t always at the top of the travel guides, however, is the sporting scene. In particular, seeing cricket in India can be a very memorable experience. The sport is revered throughout the country, and though crowds and quality of play vary from one event to another (as is true of any sport), you stand a good chance of enjoying a spectacular atmosphere.

While catching the national Indian team in action beats all, your best bet of catching a good match is through the Indian Premier League. The IPL takes place over seven weeks until the end of May and is ultimately one of the richest (and therefore most hotly contested) competitions in all of domestic cricket. It features eight of the best franchises in the country facing off against each other in an event that actually isn’t that old – but which is fast becoming very popular. Here we won’t look at all eight of the teams’ stadiums, but instead will point to a handful that give you an opportunity to see great matches in beautiful or interesting venues around the country.

Eden Gardens – Kolkata

Eden Gardens simply has to be mentioned in a piece like this. It’s the largest cricket stadium in India and one of the biggest in the whole world, able to seat nearly 70,000 fans. It’s also a deeply historic venue, having first been built in 1864 (though it’s since been significantly reconstructed). For the IPL, Eden Gardens serves as the home of the Kolkata Knight Riders, a respectable side that finished in the middle of the league in 2017 and seems poised to do so again. Additionally, attending a match at Eden Gardens, you get a chance to explore a truly beautiful and fascinating city full of many of the different elements outlined above that make India great in the first place.

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium – Hyderabad

Needless to say this stadium takes a certain level of prestige from having been named after Gandhi himself. That would make just about any venue feel special. But it lives up to the name. The park has hosted its share of thrilling matches for the Indian national team, and in the IPL serves as the home ground for Sunrisers Hyderabad – currently in first place in the league. If you get to see a match here you’ll also be able to check out some of the coolest sightseeing stops in the whole country, such as the ruins of the Golconda Fort (once a 14th century capital and stronghold) and the Charminar or “Four Minarets” mosque.

Wankhede Stadium – Mumbai

Once another massive stadium, Wankhede was actually renovated down in advance of the 2011 World Cup. As a result it feels a little more modern and a little more intimate (though it can still seat some 33,000 fans). So, despite its having been built in the mid-‘70s, it is in a way one of the more state-of-the-art venues in India. Wankhede Stadium is the home of the Mumbai Indians, and of course attending a match there you’ll get the opportunity to explore the biggest city in all of India.

These are just three of eight stadiums that are used in the IPL, but they’re certainly among the highlights, both in and of themselves and because of where they’re located. Any or all of them would be thrilling additions to any trip to India.

DO you love cricket? Have you travelled anywhere just to watch a game of cricket? Share your passion in the comments section below.

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