Niranjan Shah Stadium

Did You Know?

• The stadium's solar rooftop system generates 82,000 units of solar power annually.
• The solar system contributes to a monthly saving of approximately ₹54,600 in electricity bills.
• The stadium has plans for expanding its green power generation capabilities in the future.

History

The Saurashtra Cricket Association’s stadium began hosting Ranji Trophy matches while its spectator stands were still being built. Once those stands were finished, the venue’s capacity reached 28,000. It is part of a larger sports complex planned to include facilities for badminton, basketball, and volleyball. The design of its media box is similar to the one at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London.

Around 2004, a 30-acre plot of farmland next to the Jamnagar highway was acquired. Construction started in 2006, and the total cost, including the land, is reported to be around Rs 75 crore (about $14 million). The SCA moved its offices from a city commercial building to the stadium, which has been hosting matches since late 2008. The complex contains two playing fields: the main one inside the stadium has a 90-yard outfield, and a smaller outside field with a 70-yard outfield is used for outdoor nets and district-level matches.

The first T20 International was played here on 10 October 2013 between India and Australia; Aaron Finch made 89, and Yuvraj Singh returned to international cricket with an unbeaten 77 as India chased down 201 runs. In November 2015, the stadium was chosen as one of six new Test venues in India. It served as the home ground for the Gujarat Lions in IPL 2016, hosting five matches that season. Its first Test match took place on 9 November 2016 between England and India.

On 14 February 2024, the stadium was named after Niranjan Shah, a former first-class cricketer from Saurashtra and the honorary secretary of the Saurashtra Cricket Association, the day before the third Test match began.