The R. Premadasa Stadium, often referred to as “the home of Sri Lankan cricket,” is a renowned cricket ground situated on Khettarama Road in the Maligawatta suburb of Colombo. This iconic stadium, officially known as the R. Premadasa International Cricket Stadium, was envisioned by the late Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa, in whose honor it was named. The stadium was inaugurated on February 2, 1986, and it stands as the largest cricket stadium in Sri Lanka, boasting a seating capacity exceeding 35,000. Prior to 1994, it was commonly known as the Khettarama Cricket Stadium.
As the premier cricket venue in Sri Lanka, the R. Premadasa Stadium has hosted over 100 One Day International (ODI) matches, including notable fixtures such as the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy Final, the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup SemiFinal, and the 2012 ICC T20 World Cup Final. This stadium is also etched in cricket history for Sri Lanka’s monumental total of 952 runs, the highest score ever recorded in international cricket. The first international match played here was an ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand on April 5, 1986. To date, the stadium has been the venue for 206 international cricket matches.
Venue Overview of R. Premadasa Stadium
| Venue Name | R. Premadasa Stadium |
| Also Known as | Khettarama Stadium (until June 1994) |
| Opened | 1986 |
| Location | Khettarama Temple Rd, Colombo 01000, Sri Lanka |
| Seating Capacity | 35,000 |
| Pitch Behaviour | Spin-friendly wicket with some assistance for batters |
| Shortest Boundary Distance | 68 meters |
| Longest Boundary Distance | 75 meters |
| Bowling Ends | Khettarama End, Maligawatte End |
| Floodlights | Yes |
R. Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report
The pitch at the R. Premadasa Stadium has traditionally been a haven for spin bowlers. The surface tends to offer increasing assistance to slow bowlers as the match progresses, making batting challenging, especially in the latter stages. The pitch often deteriorates, resulting in variable bounce and significant turn, which test the technical skills of batsmen. Visible cracks on the surface add to the unpredictability, making stroke play difficult. While in shorter formats the bounce remains relatively consistent, in longer formats the pitch can become quite tricky.
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R. Premadasa Stadium Records and Statistics
With over 200 international matches hosted, the R. Premadasa Stadium has been a site for numerous memorable cricket moments. The highest Test score recorded here is a massive 952/6 declared by Sri Lanka against India. Conversely, the lowest ODI total was a meager 50 by Sri Lanka against India. Below is a summary of key records and statistics:
| Total Matches | 206 |
| Average 1st inning score | 327 in Tests, 225 in ODIs, 151 in T20Is |
| Highest total recorded | 952/6 dec by Sri Lanka vs Sri Lanka in Tests, 375/5 by Sri Lanka vs Sri Lanka in ODIs, 215/5 by Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in T20Is |
| Lowest total recorded | 86 by Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in Tests, 50 by Sri Lanka vs India in ODIs, 80 by Afghanistan/Sri Lanka vs England in T20Is |
| Highest score chased | 391/6 by Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in Tests, 292/4 by Sri Lanka vs Australia in ODIs, 215/5 by Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka in T20Is |
| Highest individual score | 340 by Sanath Jayasuriya for Sri Lanka vs Sri Lanka in Tests, 169 by Kumar Sangakkara for Sri Lanka vs South Africa in ODIs, 99* by Luke Wright for England vs Afghanistan in T20Is |
| Best bowling performance | 7/89 by Rangana Herath for Sri Lanka vs Bangladesh in Tests, 7/19 by Wanindu Hasaranga for Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe in ODIs, 4/9 by Wanindu Hasaranga for Sri Lanka vs Sri Lanka in T20Is |
Sri Lanka’s Performance at R. Premadasa Stadium
Sri Lanka has played 167 international matches at the R. Premadasa Stadium, securing 90 victories and suffering 65 losses. Four matches ended in draws, while eight had no definitive result.
| Played | 167 |
| Won | 90 |
| Lost | 65 |
| Tied | 0 |
| Draw | 4 |
| No Result | 8 |
Test Match Record at R. Premadasa Stadium
Sri Lanka has participated in nine Test matches at this venue, winning four, losing one, and drawing four.
| Played | 9 |
| Won | 4 |
| Lost | 1 |
| Tied | 0 |
| Draw | 4 |
| No Result | 0 |
ODI Record at R. Premadasa Stadium
The stadium has hosted 127 ODI matches featuring Sri Lanka, with the team winning 78, losing 41, and eight matches yielding no result.
| Played | 127 |
| Won | 78 |
| Lost | 41 |
| Tied | 0 |
| Draw | 0 |
| No Result | 8 |
T20I Record at R. Premadasa Stadium
Out of the 31 T20Is played at this venue, Sri Lanka has won 8 and lost 23 matches.
| Played | 31 |
| Won | 8 |
| Lost | 23 |
| Tied | 0 |
| Draw | 0 |
| No Result | 0 |
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Premadasa Stadium Specifications
- Seating Capacity: Over 35,000
- Boundary Length: Ranges from 68 meters (shortest) to 75 meters (longest)
- Location: Khettarama Temple Rd., Colombo 01000, Sri Lanka
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is R. Premadasa Stadium a batting or bowling pitch?
The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium primarily favors spin bowlers but also offers opportunities for batsmen to score significantly.
2. Where is R. Premadasa Stadium located?
The R. Premadasa Stadium is situated on Khettarama Temple Rd., Colombo 01000, Sri Lanka.
3. What is the boundary length at the R. Premadasa Stadium?
The boundary length ranges from 68 meters to 75 meters.
4. What is the seating capacity of R. Premadasa Stadium?
The stadium can accommodate more than 35,000 spectators.
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