Sawai Mansingh Stadium

Home of the Rajasthan Royals and site of historic cricket moments.

The Sawai Mansingh Stadium, popularly known as SMS Stadium, is a cricket stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. It was built in 1969 during the reign of Sawai Man Singh II, the last ruling Maharaja of the state of Jaipur. The stadium is owned by the Government of Rajasthan and operated by RCA, having a seating capacity of about 30,000 spectators. The stadium is the home ground of Rajasthan Royals, a team in the Indian Premier League.

Quick Facts

Address: Janpath, Lalkothi, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
Location: Jaipur, Rajasthan
Owner: Government of Rajasthan
Operator: Rajasthan Cricket Association
Capacity: 30,000
Surface: Grass
Nickname: SMS

Lore & Background

The stadium has hosted a solitary Test match, between India and Pakistan, starting in February 1987, when Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq crossed the border to watch the second day's play as part of his 'Cricket for Peace' initiative. The Test was notable for Younis Ahmed's return to the Test fray after an absence of over 17 years and also for Sunil Gavaskar's dismissal to the first ball of the Test match. Gavaskar's dismissal made him the first batsman to be dismissed three times on the first ball. The game sputtered to a draw after the third day's play was abandoned following heavy rain and a controversy over the alleged deposition of sawdust on the wicket which Pakistan objected to. The stadium's ODI debut had kicked off with a contest between the same two sides on 2 October 1983. Fresh from their World Cup triumph, the Indians comfortably won by four wickets, sporting the same XI that won the World Cup final. The ground has also hosted two World Cup matches in 1987 and 1996 respectively, the West Indians losing to England in the former and beating Australia in the latter. The last ODI played on the ground is between India and Australia in October 2013 which they won comfortably by just losing one wicket chasing 362 in just 43.3 overs.

Reader's Guide

The stadium underwent a major renovation in 2006 at a cost of ₹400 crore. A world-class cricket academy was built for ₹7 crore, which has 28 appointed rooms, a gym, a restaurant, 2 conference halls and a swimming pool. New facilities include media rooms, galleries, and 2 new blocks. The stadium has hosted IPL matches for Rajasthan Royals, its local team, who won the first season. In a match at Sawai Mansingh Stadium in 2008, Sohail Tanvir became the first player in IPL history to take a 6 wicket haul while playing for Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings. Royals have been deprived of their home advantage because of the inability of the Rajasthan Cricket Association to acquire requisite state government clearances. After announcement of shifting of some Indian Premier League matches in Maharashtra due to a severe drought situation in 2016, the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians opted for this stadium as its home ground as a substitution for Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Did You Know?

The stadium was built in 1969, not 1967.
The highest individual score in ODIs at this ground is 183 not out by Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Virat Kohli made the fastest 100 for India in ODIs at this venue.