The Saurashtra Cricket Stadium or Khandheri Cricket Stadium was established in Rajkot, Gujarat in 2008.
The ground is owned and operated by the Saurashtra Cricket Association and is the second solar-powered cricket stadium in India after the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
The Saurashtra Cricket Stadium, with a seating capacity of 28,000, is one of the two active venues for international cricket matches in Gujarat, besides the Narendra Modi Stadium.
The first T20 international match at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium was played between India and Australia in 2013. India won the match by two wickets, riding on Yuvraj Singh’s 35-ball 77.
Overall, five T20I matches have been played at the stadium. Besides India, the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium is home to the Saurashtra cricket team and was the home ground for the now-defunct Indian T20 League side Gujarat Lions.
Let’s have a look at the T20 records at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot.
Saurashtra Cricket Stadium T20I records
Highest team total: India’s 228/5 against Sri Lanka in 2023 is the highest T20I score at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium. Suryakumar Yadav’s dazzling ton propelled the Men in Blue side to set a mammoth total in the series decider.
Lowest team total: Bangladesh have posted the lowest total in an international 20-over match at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. Put to bat first, the Tigers hit 153/6 with Mohammad Naim the top-scorer (36 off 31 balls). They would eventually go on to lose the tie by eight wickets.
Most runs: India’s Colin Munro has scored 112 T20I runs at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium - the most by any batter. The Mumbai batter hit an unbeaten 51-ball 112 against Sri Lanka in his only outing at the venue, with the knock also qualifying as the highest individual score in T20 matches at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium.
Highest partnership: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s 118-run stand for the opening wicket against Bangladesh in 2019 is the highest partnership at this venue. The record stand saw Rohit contribute 81 runs while Dhawan added 31 prior to his dismissal.
Most wickets: Indian spinner Yuzvendra Chahal has taken the most T20I wickets at this ground. He has picked up seven wickets in four matches at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot at an economy rate of 7.66.
Saurashtra Cricket Stadium T20 records
Highest team total: Bangalore’s 213/2 against Gujarat in their 2017 Indian T20 League game is the highest T20 score at Saurashtra Cricket Stadium. Chris Gayle’s quickfire 77 off 38 balls guided his side to a big score against Gujarat, who managed 192/7 in 20 overs in response.
Lowest team total: Maharashtra’s 89 in a 2017-18 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy match against Mumbai is currently the lowest total in a T20 match at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium. Asked to bat first, Maharashtra were bowled out in 15 overs with Mumbai’s Akash Parkar wreaking havoc with a three-wicket haul. Mumbai won the fixture by seven wickets as they completed their run chase in 9.2 overs.
Most runs: Former Indian cricket team star Suresh Raina has scored 347 runs at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium - the most by any batter. In 11 innings at the venue, he has averaged 38.55 and boasts a strike rate of 136.07.
Highest partnership: Gautam Gambhir and Chris Lynn’s 184-run stand for the opening wicket in the 2017 Kolkata vs Gujarat game in the Indian T20 League is the highest partnership in T20s at this venue. The record stand saw Lynn contribute 93 runs to Kolkata’s tally while Gambhir added 76.
Most wickets: Former Indian spinner Piyush Chawla has taken the most wickets at this ground. He has 11 wickets at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium in Rajkot, averaging a wicket every 14 balls.
Best bowling figures: Andrew Tye’s 5/17 against Pune in a 2017 Indian T20 League match is the best bowling figures in a T20 match at the Saurashtra Cricket Stadium. The Aussie quick, playing for the now-defunct Gujarat, registered an economy rate of 4.25 in the fixture.
Featured photo: AFP / SAM PANTHAKY
