Motera Stadium Profile
India’s Motera Stadium, also known as the Sardar Patel Stadium, is the largest cricket ground in the world. Its capacity to hold 110,000 spectators also makes it the second-largest sports stadium on the planet. It is based in the city of Ahmedabad and has been a regular Test, ODI and T20I venue since it opened in 1983. It was renovated ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy in 2006 but was then demolished and completely reconstructed by 2020.
When it was first opened in 1983 it was known as the Gujarat Stadium before eventually being renamed in honour of former India deputy Prime Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. It hosted Test cricket and it’s first ODI when Australia beat India as part of the 1984-85 series.
Notable milestones at the ground include Sunil Gavaskar becoming the first Test cricketer to score 10,000 Test runs. That came against Pakistan at this ground in 1987. It was at the stadium where Kapil Dev took his 432nd wicket in 1994 to become the highest wicket-taker in the world. The ground has been chosen to host matches whenever a World Cup has taken place in India.
It was completely demolished in 2015 to make way for the new Motera Stadium on the site today. Development work cost a reported R800 crores ($110million) and was finally completed in February 2020 when it was opened by American president Donald Trump.
The site has hosted the India national team, the Gujarat cricket team and Indian Premier League side the Rajasthan Royals.
What to look for when betting on matches at Motera Stadium
The Motera stadium pitch used to be known as a bowler-friendly surface but eventually become a much fairer track over the years. The ground hasn’t seen any cricket action since it was reopened so it will be interesting to see how the stats develop once games start to be played there again. Waiting to see how the surface acts would be a good idea before betting.
