ICC World Twenty20 – Fun Facts about the Host Stadiums

There’s more to cricket stadiums than meets the eye. With the capacity to accommodate thousands of cricket enthusiasts at one go comes the charm and mystery that can make anybody curious. When was this stadium built? By whom? Does it have a quaint history? Any matches that became famous there? There’s so much more that makes cricket stadiums fascinating and interesting. They have the collective memories and experiences of countless people who have spent a day or two there, cheering for their favourite team or jeering the opponents. What better time to revisit those memories and a few eye-catching details than the latest edition of the ICC World Twenty20? And if you are interested in watching the matches live, you know Travelguru’s World Twenty20 hotel deals have got you covered! Here are a few fun facts about the host stadiums that will amuse you and amaze you

Eden Gardens, Kolkata

The venue for the final match of the 2016 season of the Twenty20, Eden Gardens is a stadium that is close to many an Indian heart. Opened way back in 1864, Eden Gardens is what many lovingly call “Cricket’s answer to the Colosseum”. It is the biggest stadium in India and also home to the pitch where the highest ODI score was ever made – when Rohit Sharma hit a whopping 264 against Sri Lanka in 2014.

Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

A gorgeous landmark in Aamchi Mumbai, Wankhede was born out of a dispute between the Bombay Cricket Association and the Cricket Club of India. Home to one of India’s beloved teams, the Mumbai Indians, Wankhede stadium is India’s second largest cricket ground and has today overshadowed the once famous Brabourne stadium. One memorable event that took place at Wankhede was Mark Waugh becoming the first batsman to hit consecutive World Cup centuries!

HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala

Being surrounded by the Himalayan beauty and natural grace, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association stadium takes the prize for its excellent location. Situated in Dharamshala, home to the 14th Dalai Lama, the HPCA stadium had recently come into the limelight for hosting the India-Pakistan match, after 11 long years. And yet, the big match now having been shifted to lovely Eden Gradens doesn’t steal away the thrill of watching some of the best teams battle, enveloped by the Himalayas.

VCA Stadium, Nagpur

One of the swankiest cricket stadiums India has seen, the VCA stadium is located in an unexpected location – Nagpur. Also known as New VCA, this cricket ground was built in 2008 and is popular for its impressive sports facilities, so much so that Cricket God Sachin Tendulkar said the facilities on offer here exceeded all his expectations!

M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Home to the Royal Challengers, the M. Chinnaswamy stadium in the Silicon Valley of India opened its doors to the public in 1969. This stadium today holds some of the best and biggest matches that the world has seen. This stadium is well-known as the venue where Rohit Sharma scored his first ODI double hundred against Australia in 2013, and also for Ireland beating England in the 2011 World Cup match.

Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, Mohali

Built in 1993 with a capacity to accommodate 30,000 people, the PCA stadium in Mohali is the home ground to the Kings XI Punjab. One of the most exciting matches played in this stadium was the Australia vs West Indies World Cup semis in 1996. Located on the outskirts of rustic Chandigarh, the PCA is one of the best stadiums where spectator facilities are concerned.

Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

Feroz Shah Kotla needs no introduction. Right from children playing gully cricket to some of the mightiest cricketers the world has seen, Feroz Shah Kotla is a name that resonates with everyone. Established in 1883, this ground has been a happy place for the Indian cricket team as they’ve won 9 test matches and drawn 1 test right here on this ground.

If you plan to visit any of these stadiums for the ICC World Twenty20 matches, make sure you book your hotel with Travelguru’s World Twenty20 hotel deals and save up to 30% on bookings! You know you want to cheer for your team right from the stands, so don’t deny yourself that pleasure and get going!