Arun Jaitley Stadium
The historic heart of Delhi cricket, echoing with legends and roaring crowds.
via Wikipedia: Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium · see source
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, formerly the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, is a cricket stadium owned and operated by the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) and located on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi, though part of Central Delhi, Delhi, India. Established in 1883 as the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, it is named after the nearby Kotla fort and sits on land that is a historical part of Ferozabad, the 14th-century city established by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq in 1354 CE. It is the second-oldest functional international cricket stadium in India, after Eden Gardens in Kolkata. As of 12 February 2026, it has hosted 36 Tests, 29 ODIs, and 10 T20Is. On 12 September 2019, the stadium was renamed in memory of former DDCA President and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley after his death on 24 August 2019. The DDCA clarified that only the stadium had been renamed and that the ground would still be called the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground.
- location
- New Delhi, India
- former_name
- Feroz Shah Kotla Cricket Ground
- first_test_year
- 1948
- ipl_home_team
- Delhi Capitals
- status
- Active International Venue
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The first Test match at this venue was played on 10 November 1948 when India took on the West Indies. In 1952, playing against Pakistan, Hemu Adhikari and Ghulam Ahmed were involved in a record tenth wicket stand of 111 runs – a record that still stands. In 1965, S Venkataraghavan, in his debut series, demolished the New Zealand line-up with figures of 8 for 72 and 4 for 80. In 1969–70, Bishen Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna combined to spin India to a famous seven-wicket win over Australia, the duo picking 18 wickets between themselves. In 1981, Geoff Boycott surpassed Gary Sobers' world record test aggregate. In 1983, Sunil Gavaskar hit his 29th test ton in this ground to equal Don Bradman's then record tally of 29 centuries. In 1999, Anil Kumble took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan, to become only the second bowler to achieve this feat after Jim Laker. In December 2005, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 35th test century against Sri Lanka to break Sunil Gavaskar's record of the most test centuries. On 27 December 2009, an ODI match between India and Sri Lanka was called off because pitch conditions were classed as unfit to host a match, and the ground was banned by the ICC for 12 months. Since 2008, the stadium has been the home of the Delhi Capitals (formerly Delhi Daredevils) of the Indian Premier League. During the second day of the third test of Sri Lankan cricket team in India in 2017-18 at Delhi, smog forced Sri Lanka cricketers to stop play and wear anti-pollution masks. Cricketer Lahiru Gamage reported shortness of breath, and Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas reported that Suranga Lakmal had vomited regularly due to severe pollution. On day 4, India's Mohammed Shami was also seen vomiting on the field. Following the match, both participating countries criticized the choice to play the Test in Delhi with the high levels of pollution.
In Their Own Story
The sun dips below the red sandstone buildings of Old Delhi, casting a long shadow over the green oval. Inside the stadium, the air hums with anticipation. A young fan clutches a worn flag, eyes fixed on the wickets where the next great moment will unfold. The crowd holds its breath as the bowler runs in, the silence broken only by the crack of leather on willow. In that instant, history is made again.
Reader's Guide
Visiting a major Indian stadium like Arun Jaitley is an immersion into pure passion. The stands buzz with a unique energy where every boundary triggers a roar that shakes the ground. Fans arrive early, draped in team colors, carrying flags and banners painted by hand. Food vendors weave through the aisles selling chai and snacks, creating a sensory backdrop to the game. Cricket functions as more than sport here; it is a unifying cultural force that transcends language and region. In Delhi, the rivalry against Mumbai or Chennai ignites fierce loyalty. Families gather generations together, passing down stories of Kapil Dev or Sehwag while watching current heroes take the field. The atmosphere shifts from tense silence during bowling spells to explosive celebration at milestones. This shared experience binds the nation. Whether celebrating a World Cup victory or mourning a narrow loss, the collective emotion is palpable. It is not just about winning; it is about belonging to a community that lives and breathes every ball bowled on this hallowed turf.
Did You Know?
- The stadium was established in 1883, making it the second-oldest functional international cricket stadium in India after Eden Gardens.
- Anil Kumble took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan here in 1999, becoming only the second bowler to achieve this feat after Jim Laker.
- On 12 September 2019, the stadium was renamed after former DDCA President and Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, but the DDCA clarified the ground would still be called Feroz Shah Kotla Ground.
- In 2009, an ODI between India and Sri Lanka was called off due to unfit pitch conditions, leading to a 12-month ICC ban on the ground.
- During the 2017-18 Test against Sri Lanka, smog forced players to stop play and wear anti-pollution masks, with both teams criticizing the choice to play in Delhi's high pollution levels.