Feroz Shah Kotla

Location: Delhi District Cricket Association, Feroz Shah Kotla ground, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, New Delhi

Established: 1883

Floodlights: Yes

End Names: Stadium End, Pavilion End

Home Team: Delhi and Delhi Daredevils (IPL)

Owner: Delhi District Cricket Association

First Test: India v West Indies – Nov 10-14, 1948

First ODI: India v Sri Lanka – Sep 15, 1982

Deriving its name from the Emperor of Delhi – Feroz Shah Tughlaq, who ruled from 1351 to 1388, Feroz Shah Kotla stadium was initially a fortress, built by the by the Emperor to house his version of Delhi city – Ferozabad. It was established in the year 1883 and is situated in a prime location of India’s capital, Delhi. One of the oldest cricket stadiums in India, the stadium hosted the first ever test match in Independent India. Held between India and West Indies, the match was the first ever tour of West Indies to India, under the captainship of John Goddard in 1948-49. Ever since the first match played, Feroz Shah Kotla stadium has witnessed some notable performances over the years.

In the 1952 test match against Pakistan, Hemu Adhikari and Ghulam Ahmed were involved in a record tenth wicket stand of 109 runs – a record that still stands. In 1965, Indian off-spinner – S Venkataraghavan, in his debut series, demolished the New Zealand line up with figures of 8 for 72 and 4 for 80. However, it was in 1999 that Feroz Shah Kotla played host to a truly historic feat, when Anil Kumble scripted a perfect 10 against Pakistan, becoming only the second bowler in the world to do so, after Jim Laker of England. The first ODI match hosted in this stadium was between India and Sri Lanka, on September 15, 1982.

Modernization

Currently, the stadium is being managed and maintained by the Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) and has two ends namely TATA end and ITC end. Feroz Shah Kotla stadium underwent renovation and revamping in the later stages. The stadium was outfitted with latest amenities for successfully organizing an international cricket matches. Floodlights were even installed in the stadium, thereby making it one of the choicest venues for day-night matches as well. In the present times, Kotla stadium boasts of a seating capacity of over 40, 000 people. With the initiation of Indian premier League (IPL) since 2008, the stadium has been the home venue of the Delhi Daredevils, a franchise of IPL.

Milestones At Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium

* The highest Test total at the Kotla is 644/8 declared by West Indies against India in the 1958-59 season.

* The lowest Test total at the Kotla is 75 by India against West Indies in the 1987-88 season.

* The highest ODI total at the Kotla is 303 by Pakistan against India in the 2004-05 season.

* India has been the most successful team in Feroz Shah Kotla ground, recording a highest number of victories (10) by any team in the world.

* Bert Sutcliffe of New Zealand has been the highest run scorer, scoring 230 (not out) versus India on December 16, 1955.

* Apart from the 10 wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999, Anil Kumble is the most successful bowler in Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium, recording a total of 58 wickets.

* Dilip Vengsarkar has been the most prolific batsmen, with a mammoth total of 671 runs, in all the matches played by him in Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.