This stadium replaced the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad which was used to host domestic and international cricket in the city until its demolition in 2015. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium was one of the most prominent cricket venues ; it hosted matches during the 1987, 1996, and 2011 ICC World Cups.[20][21][22] In 2014, it was decided that a new stadium should be built on the same plot.[23] The new stadium, originally named Motera Stadium, was designed by Australia's design firm Populous and built by Larsen and Toubro. It took five years to build, at an estimated cost of ₹800 crore (US$92 million). Once completed, the new arena replaced the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the world's largest cricket stadium. The stadium has four dressing rooms, 11 center pitches, and two practice grounds. The practice grounds can additionally serve as venues for domestic matches.[20][2][24][25]
The new stadium was first opened to the public in 2020 amid the Namaste Trump event and the COVID-19 pandemic.[26] In February 2021, the stadium was renamed Narendra Modi Stadium in honor of the Indian Prime Minister at the time, Narendra Modi. The prime minister had previously served as chief minister of Gujarat (2001–2014) as well as president of the GCA (2009-2014).[27] In 2021, the stadium was inaugurated with Indian President Ram Nath Kovind presiding over the event.[26]
In 1982, the Government of Gujarat allocated a 400,000-square-metre (100-acre) stretch of land on the banks of the Sabarmati River to build a new stadium. Construction of the stadium was completed in nine months.[31] The venue was originally known simply as Gujarat Stadium; however, it was soon renamed Sardar Patel Stadium (not to be confused with the previously mentioned site in Navrangpura), after Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, India's first home minister and deputy prime minister. Since its completion, all international cricket fixtures in Ahmedabad have been held at the site. In the 1984-85 Australia India series, Sardar Patel Stadium hosted its first ODI, which India lost.
At the arena, Sunil Gavaskar became the first batter to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket, a feat he accomplished against Pakistan in their 1987 tour.[32] In 1983, Kapil Dev took a nine-wicket haul against the West Indies and claimed his 432nd Test wicket at the stadium. This made him the highest wicket-taker in the world in 1995, breaking Sir Richard Hadlee's previous record.[33] In 1996, the ground hosted a low-scoring Test match against South Africa, in which the visitors lost 105–223.[34]
Sardar Patel Stadium hosted one game each in the 1987 and 1996 World Cups, including the first match of the 1996 World Cup between England and New Zealand.
2006–2015
Sardar Patel Stadium (before reconstruction)
In 2006, the stadium became the focal venue of the ICC Champions Trophy and hosted five of the 15 games played. In preparation for the tournament, the stadium was renovated to add three new pitches and a new outfield. Floodlights and covered stands were also introduced at the stadium as a part of the renovation program.[35]
The stadium hosted three games during the 2011 Cricket World Cup, including the quarterfinals between Australia and India[1]. Sachin Tendulkar became the first cricketer to score 18,000 runs in ODIs in a game against Australia on 24 March 2011. [2].
2014–2020 (construction of new stadium)
Conception
The idea to build a new stadium was proposed by Narendra Modi himself who was the president of the Gujarat Cricket Association and the Chief Minister of Gujarat at the same time.[37][36] Shortly before Modi moved to Delhi after becoming the prime minister of India, there were discussions about adding minor upgrades to the stadium and further developing areas of the structure at the pavilion end. Modi asked officials to build a new, larger stadium instead of pursuing minor renovation work.[38]
US president Donald Trump and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi at the Narendra Modi Stadium, 24 February 2020.
In October 2015, the stadium was demolished for reconstruction, though some media referred to it as a renovation. The total cost of reconstruction was estimated to be ₹700 crores (₹7 billion (US$81 million)).[39][40] However, the final cost was reported at ₹800 crore (US$92 million). The redevelopment, originally planned to be completed in 2019, finished in February 2020.
Bids
After starting demolition work at the end of 2015, the GCA issued a request for tender on 1 January 2016 in The Times of India and The Indian Express. Nine bidders showed interest and purchased the tender documents, out of which three submitted technical and financial bids on time; they were the Shapoorji Pallonji Group, Nagarjuna Construction Company, and Larsen & Toubro (L&T). A Tender Commercial Committee (TCC) of nine experts was formed to evaluate tenders. Additionally, STUP Consultants, a civil engineering consultancy firm based in Mumbai, was appointed as the project management consultant to evaluate proposals and technical details of each bid working with the TCC.[41]
Each of the three bidders presented their designs, models, and technical details of their concepts and designs. Due to the sheer size and complexity of the project, the bidders were evaluated on many parameters. These included efficiency, resources, project length, and ease of implementation, among others. The bidders were ranked and weighted based on the parameters.[citation needed]
Bids Submitted for Sardar Vallabhai Patel's Reconstruction
In the end, Larsen &Turbo was selected as the principal contractor to build and design the stadium.
Building work
L&T took over the construction work of the stadium in December 2016.[42] On 16 January 2017, the Gujarat Cricket Association oversaw the project, which formally began on the same day. The stadium was planned to be finished in 2 years, and the reconstruction project was estimated to cost around ₹700 crore ($93 million).[43] Final completion of the stadium was finished in February 2020, and it hosted an England-India day-night test match in 2021.[44]
Mumbai-based commercial kitchen consultant "Span Asia" was hired to collaborate with Populous and L&T on food and beverage-related areas such as concession counters, main stadium kitchens, player kitchens, VIP/VVIP boxes, corporate boxes, press & media boxes, pantries, the GCA Club, and related areas.
2020–present
In 2020, the event "Namaste Trump" was organized at the stadium for the visit of US president Donald J. Trump to India. 125,000 attendees were recorded.[45] Before it became clear that the complex would continue to use the name "Sardar Patel Sports Enclave" and that only the stadium would receive a new name, Congress first criticized the decision.[46]
The arena also hosted five matches of the 2023 Cricket World Cup, including the opening and final games, as well as high-profile matches pitting India against Pakistan and Australia against England.[50]
The stadium during the 2023 cricket world cup final
The stadium is built on 63 acres of land and has four entry points, with a metro line at one of the entry points. It has 76 corporate boxes that can hold 25 persons each,[52] a 55-room clubhouse, an Olympic size swimming pool,[52][53] and four dressing rooms. A food court and hospitality area are available in each spectator stand. The stadium also includes an indoor cricket academy and practice pitches, with dormitories for 40 athletes.[54]
The stands generally follow a two-tier structure; however, there is a three-tier main pavilion.[55] The two-tier structure is supported from beneath by numerous Y-shaped columns, which eliminate the need for pillars and thus give spectators an unobstructed view of the entire field from all parts of the stadium. An LED light system lines the stadium roof's inside edge. This eliminates the need for floodlights and helps reduce shadows on the pitch. The LED lights are installed on an antibacterial, fireproof canopy with PTFE membrane that covers 30 metres (98 ft) out of 55 metres (180 ft) width of the seating area. The roof was installed by Walter P. Moore, and was specifically designed to be lightweight and separate from the seating bowls in order to improve earthquake resistance.[56]
The ground has 11 center pitches. The playing field has sensors to detect the need for water for the grass, which can automatically activate 67 fully automated underground pop-up sprinklers. The ground surface is made of Bermuda grass. The stadium has an extensive drainage system.[55]
The stadium premises have many facilities, including an indoor cricket practice area, badminton, tennis, and squash courts, a table tennis area, a 3D projector theatre, three practice grounds, and 50 rooms.[57][55] The parking lot can accommodate 3,000 cars and 10,000 two-wheelers. A ramp leading to the stadium is designed to facilitate the movement of around 60,000 people simultaneously. The arena has been designed in such a way that the upper stands can remain empty (such as during smaller events) while maintaining a sufficient crowd atmosphere. However, a game between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2024 saw a near houseful crowd of over 1 lakh.[58]
There was a plan that the stadium would be connected to the nearest metro station by a skywalk bridge in order to decrease road congestion. Construction was planned to be completed after September 2020. As of November 2023, the skywalk is yet to be constructed.[59]
In 2020, the stadium was the venue of the "Namaste Trump" event, which was organized for the maiden visit of US president Donald Trump to India by Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.[60] The event mirrored the "Howdy Modi" event held in Houston, Texas.[61]
The event began with the two prime ministers singing the national anthems of their respective countries and shaking hands with the players of both teams. They then visited a gallery showcasing glimpses of 75 years of cricket friendship between the two countries.[63] After the gallery visit, the two prime ministers took a lap of honor around the stadium in a specially designed golf cart. They were greeted by loud cheers from the crowd, who waved Indian and Australian flags. The event concluded with the two prime ministers tossing the coin to start the Test match.[64]
The 75 Years of Friendship through Cricket Event was a celebration of the strong ties between India and Australia, which have been forged over many years through the shared love of cricket. The event was also an opportunity to promote sports diplomacy and to encourage people from both countries to come together and celebrate their friendship.[65]
ICC World Cup matches
Erstwhile Sardar Patel Stadium had hosted matches of ICC World cups:
On 24 February 2021, the arena hosted its first day night test game, with India facing off against England.[88]
In 2022, the arena hosted the IPL Final between the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals. The Titans won the IPL in their inaugural season.[89] This event was attended by 104,859 people, the highest attendance in the history of the stadium and cricket in general.[90]
Highest innings total: Sri Lanka 760/7d – India v Sri Lanka, 2nd inning, 16 November 2009.[92]
Lowest innings total: India 76 – India v South Africa, 1st inning, 3 April 2008.[93]
Highest individual score: Mahela Jayawardene 275 (435) (4s-27 6s-1) – Sri Lanka v India, 16 November 2009.[94]
Best bowling: (in an innings) Kapil Dev 9/83 – India v West Indies, 12 November 1983.[95] (in a match) Axar Patel 11/70 – India v England, 13 February 2021.[95]
Most wickets: Kapil Dev (India) 10 Wickets (Mat:6 Runs:156 Best:3/26 Ave:15.60 Econ:3.04).[103]
Gallery
The Stadium During the Namaste Trump Event (new structure)
Iron Bull at the Stadium entrance
Stadium before renovation
In media
In 2021, the stadium was featured in an episode of History TV18's documentary show Modern Marvels. The episode depicted the entire construction of the stadium.[2]
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