The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, situated in the heart of Bengaluru, Karnataka, stands as one of India’s premier cricket venues. Often referred to by its formal name, Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium, it has earned a distinguished reputation as a battleground for some of the most thrilling cricket encounters, both domestic and international. Over the years, this stadium has developed from a humble ground to a cricketing icon, renowned for its high-scoring games and electric atmosphere.
| Venue Name | M. Chinnaswamy Stadium |
| Also Known as | Bengaluru Cricket Stadium, Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium |
| Opened | 1969 |
| Location | Mahatma Gandhi Rd, near Cubbon Road, Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001 |
| Seating Capacity | 40,000 |
| Pitch Behaviour | Batting-friendly wicket |
| Shortest Boundary Distance | 55 meters |
| Longest Boundary Distance | 64 meters |
| Bowling Ends | BEML End, Pavilion End |
| Floodlights | Yes |
A Brief History and Evolution
Located on Mahatma Gandhi Road near Cubbon Road in Shivaji Nagar, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was inaugurated in 1969. It was originally known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium until it was renamed in honor of Mangalam Chinnaswamy, a pivotal figure in Karnataka’s cricketing history. Chinnaswamy, a lawyer from Mandya, served as the president of the Indian Cricket Board from 1977 to 1980 and was deeply involved in the administration of Karnataka cricket for nearly four decades.
The first international match at this iconic venue was a Test match between India and the West Indies in November 1974. Since then, the stadium has hosted 24 Test matches, 31 One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and 10 Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), along with a multitude of domestic fixtures.
The Pitch: A Batter’s Paradise
One of the key characteristics of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is its batting-friendly pitch, often considered a paradise for batsmen. The surface typically provides true bounce, making it easier for batters to score runs. The relatively short boundaries (ranging from 55 to 64 meters) further contribute to high-scoring encounters, offering little margin for error to bowlers. Though the pitch heavily favors batters, spinners find some assistance, especially when the surface dries up, providing a balance between bat and ball.
This combination of a flat pitch and shorter boundaries often leads to high-scoring games. For instance, India’s mammoth score of 626 against Pakistan in a Test match remains the highest total at the stadium. Conversely, the lowest total at the ground was 103, when Afghanistan were bowled out by India in a Test match.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Records and Stats
The stadium has witnessed several record-breaking performances. Here are some highlights from its rich cricketing history:
– Highest Total: 626/10 by India vs. Pakistan in Tests
– Lowest Total: 103/10 by Afghanistan vs. India in Tests
– Highest Individual Score: 267 by Younis Khan for Pakistan in a Test match against India
– Best Bowling Performance: 11/224 by Harbhajan Singh for India against Australia in Tests
– Highest Score in an ODI: 410/4 by India against the Netherlands
– Best Bowling in an ODI: 5/31 by Yuvraj Singh for India against Ireland
– Highest Score in a T20I: 212/4 by Afghanistan against India
India’s Test record at the venue is somewhat mixed, with 9 wins, 6 losses, and 9 draws out of 24 matches. However, the ODI format has been much more successful for the Indian team, with 15 wins out of 22 matches. In T20Is, India has won 4 out of 8 matches.
India’s Performance at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium
India’s performance at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been fairly strong across formats. In Test cricket, India has played 24 matches, winning 9 and losing 6, with 9 drawn games. In ODIs, India has a better record with 15 wins and only 5 losses in 22 matches. In T20Is, however, India’s record is more even, with 4 wins and 3 losses in 8 games. Despite the occasional defeat, the stadium continues to be a favorite venue for Indian cricket fans.
IPL and Domestic Cricket
Apart from international cricket, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is also renowned for hosting Indian Premier League (IPL) matches. Since its debut in the IPL in 2008, the stadium has hosted 95 matches, offering fans some of the most thrilling encounters in the T20 format. The Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), the local franchise, calls this ground home.
Some memorable moments from the IPL at this venue include Chris Gayle’s remarkable 175 against Pune Warriors in 2013, and S. Badree’s 4/9 for RCB against Mumbai Indians in 2017. With an average of 8.8 runs per over, the ground provides plenty of scoring opportunities, and teams batting second have a slight edge with a 52.63% win rate.
| City | Bengaluru, Bangalore | ||
| Country | India | ||
| Also or previously Known as | Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium | ||
| First Match | 18/04/2008 | ||
| Last T20 Match | 18/05/2024 | ||
| Matches Played | 95 | ||
| Matches Won Batting First | 41 (43.16%) | ||
| Matches Won Batting Second | 50 (52.63%) | ||
| Matches Won Winning Toss | 50 (52.63%) | ||
| Matches Won Losing Toss | 41 (43.16%) | ||
| Matches with No Result | 4 (4.21%) | ||
| Highest Individual Innings | 175* | C H Gayle (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) | 23/04/2013 v Pune Warriors |
| Best Bowling | 4/9 | S Badree (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) | 14/04/2017 v Mumbai Indians |
| Highest Team Innings | 287/3 (Sunrisers Hyderabad) | 15/04/2024 v Royal Challengers Bengaluru | |
| Lowest Team Innings | 82 (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) | 18/04/2008 v Kolkata Knight Riders | |
| Highest Run Chase Achieved | 186/3 (Deccan Chargers) | 08/04/2010 v Royal Challengers Bengaluru | |
| Average Runs per Wicket | 27.95 | ||
| Average Runs per Over | 8.8 | ||
| Average Score Batting First | 167.84 | ||
Weather and Climate
Bengaluru’s tropical savanna climate makes the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium an ideal venue for cricket. Its moderate temperatures, thanks to the city’s high elevation, create a comfortable playing environment throughout the year. However, the city experiences heavy rains during the monsoon season (June to September), with September being the wettest month. In contrast, April tends to be the hottest month, with temperatures peaking at around 34°C.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Photos
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Boundary Length
There are boundaries at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium ranging in length from 55 to 64 meters, with the shortest boundary being 55 meters and the largest being 64 meters.
M. Chinnaswamy Stadium Capacity
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, also known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium or KSCA Stadium, can accommodate around 40,000 spectators.