Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi Travel Guide

The Arun Jaitley Stadium, located on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Delhi, stands as a testament to India's rich cricketing history. Established in 1883, it is the second-oldest international cricket stadium in India. Originally known as the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, named after the nearby Kotla fort from the 14th century, it was renamed in 2019 to honor the late Arun Jaitley, a former finance minister and president of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA).Over the years, the stadium has hosted numerous memorable matches, including its first Test match in 1948 between India and the West Indies. The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 41,820. Several stands are named after famous Indian cricketers, including Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, Gautam Gambhir, and Virat Kohli. The home and away team dressing rooms are named after Raman Lamba and Prakash Bhandari, respectively.The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium is known to favor batsmen and spinners. However, in 2009, an ODI match between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned due to dangerous pitch conditions, leading to a temporary ban. Despite this, renovations have restored its reputation as a competitive venue. The stadium continues to host international matches, Indian Premier League (IPL) games, and domestic cricket. It serves as the home ground for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL.Attending a match here offers an electrifying atmosphere, with fans filling the stadium to support their teams. The stadium is easily accessible by various modes of transport, including the Delhi Metro and local buses.