Lucknow becomes 21st Indian city to host ODI World Cup match

The 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup is currently in progress, with teams from around the world competing for the ultimate prize. India is the exclusive host of this tournament, and a notable milestone in this World Cup is the city of Lucknow hosting its first-ever World Cup match. 

The Ekana Stadium in Lucknow has now joined the esteemed list of cities that have had the honour of hosting ICC World Cup matches in the 50-over format. Lucknow becomes the 21^st Indian city to achieve the distinction as it hosted the 10th match of the ongoing tournament, played between Australia and South Africa. 

Other cities to have hosted an ODI World Cup game are: Chennai. Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, Indore,  Kanpur, Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Chandigarh, Mohali, Nagpur, Baroda/ Vadodara, Cuttack, Gwalior, Vizag, Patna, Pune, Dharamsala (in no particular order).

Meanwhile, Lucknow is also set to witness the marquee clash of India and England on October 29.  Apart from India and England, the Ekana Cricket Stadium is set to host two matches each for Australia, Netherlands and Sri Lanka as well.

Also Check: ODI World Cup 2023 Schedule

The stadium, inaugurated in 2017, has quickly established itself as a cricketing fortress, boasting a staggering nine turfs, including five red clay pitches, perfectly suited for the grandeur of this tournament.

The 22-yard strip at Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium is usually tailor-made for spinners. With the slow and responsive nature of the wicket, the spin maestros are primed to leave their mark on the World Cup. The match between India and England, one of the most anticipated fixtures, promises to be a gripping battle and could very well be staged on the challenging red clay.

Great cricketing experience for fans at Ekana Stadium

This stadium, with a colossal capacity of approximately 50,000 spectators, stands tall as a testament to cricket's fervour in India. The general stands flanking the East and West ends offer a staggering 44,296 seats, ensuring an electrifying atmosphere for the fans. What's even more astonishing is the absence of pillars or sight screens, providing an unobstructed, panoramic view for all in attendance.

The Ekana Cricket Stadium is not just a stage for international cricket but also serves as the home ground for the IPL franchise, Lucknow Super Giants, and a preferred venue for women's international cricket. Moreover, Afghanistan's men's team has adopted it as their home ground for international fixtures.