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Kerala is known to be one of the most football-crazy Indian states alone with West Bengal. However, football is not the only sport played in Kerala. Cricket is also widely played, with Kerala contributing players like Sanju Samson and Sachin Baby to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and national teams. The state has good facilities for sports training, and athletes from Kerala have won medals in events like athletics and volleyball as well.
One of the prime sporting venues in Kerala is the Greenfield International Stadium, located in Trivandrum. It is also known as The Sports Hub, and was previously known by the name of Trivandrum International Stadium. It is a multi-purpose stadium where both cricket and football is played. Interestingly, it is the first fully eco-friendly stadium in India, and also boasts a rainwater harvesting facility.
The stadium is located 13.3 km from Trivandrum International Airport, 10.2 km from Kochuveli Railway Station, and 14.4 km from both Trivandrum Central Railway Station and the Central Bus Station in Thiruvananthapuram.
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Greenfield Stadium History
The Greenfield International Stadium has been built on 36 acres of land which was leased by the Kerala University for Rs 94 lakh per year for a period of 15 years. The project was announced in 2012 and was completed in 2015. The stadium was officially opened on January 26, 2015.
The stadium’s playing area is built to meet FIFA and ICC rules. It also has indoor sports facilities for table tennis, basketball, badminton, a gym, and a spa. The first international football tournament held here was the 2015 SAFF Championship, where India won against Afghanistan 2–1 in the final. The stadium hosted its first cricket one-day match on 1 November 2018 and is the home ground for the Kerala Cricket Association.
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Kerala Cricket Association
The Kerala Cricket Association is the governing body of cricket in Kerala, and it is affiliated to the BCCI. The Kerala Cricket Team, which was previously known as Travancore-Cochin cricket team until 1957/58.
Kerala began competing in the Ranji Trophy in 1957-58, but they have not been able to win any titles yet. They have never won the Syed Mushtaq Ali or Vijay Hazare Trophy, either. Their best season in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy was in 2012–13 where they finished third.
Kerala has given Indian cricket two Test players: Tinu Yohannan and S. Sreesanth. Sanju Samson has played for India in T20Is and ODIs, and Basil Thampi has also been called up to the national team. Robin Uthappa, former ODI and T20I player, also rose through the ranks from the Kerala Cricket Team. The team also had former India international Sadagoppan Ramesh in its lineup for two years, from 2005 to 2007.
On May 27, 2016, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) signed a lease agreement with Kariyavattom Sports Facilities Limited (KSFL) for Greenfield Stadium, which runs until November 18, 2027. Under the agreement, KCA will have access to the stadium for 180 days each year (from October 1 to January 31 and April 1 to May 30). They can also use the stadium for cricket matches on other days if it’s available.
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Greenfield Stadium Capacity
The Greenfield Stadium in Kerala has a seating capacity of 50,000, making it one of the largest cricket stadiums in India by seating capacity. The largest cricket stadium in India, by seating capacity, is the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, followed by the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
The stadium is divided into four zones, each with specific purposes. The south zone features shopping malls and a food court, while the north zone is designated for cricket. The east zone is reserved for football. Each zone includes a players’ lounge, gym, media centre, and storage area. The nearby Pavilion offers facilities for squash, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, and also has an Olympic-sized swimming pool.
Greenfield Stadium Boundary Length
At Greenfield International Stadium in Trivandrum, the square boundaries are around 65 meters, while the straight boundaries are roughly 70 meters. As per ICC Test Match regulations, the total playing area should span at least 137.16 meters from one square boundary to the other. Additionally, the shorter square boundary must be no less than 59.43 meters, and the straight boundaries at either end of the pitch should measure at least 64 meters.
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Greenfield Stadium Records
Greenfield International Stadium in Trivandrum has not hosted a lot of matches. In ODIs, the stadium has seen two matches, with one win each for teams batting first and bowling first. The highest total recorded is 390/5 by India against Sri Lanka, while the lowest total was a mere 73 all out by Sri Lanka against India.
The highest successful chase was 105/1 by India against the West Indies, and the lowest total defended was 390/5. In T20s, out of four matches, both batting first and chasing sides have won twice. The highest total recorded is 235/4 by India against Australia, with the highest chase being 173/2 by the West Indies against India. The lowest defended score is 67/5 by India in a rain-affected game against New Zealand.
Format | Stat | Record |
ODI | Total Matches | 2 |
Matches won batting first | 1 | |
Matches won bowling first | 1 | |
Average 1st innings score | 247 | |
Average 2nd innings score | 89 | |
Highest total recorded | 390/5 (50 overs) by India vs Sri Lanka | |
Lowest total recorded | 73 all out (22 overs) by Sri Lanka vs India | |
Highest score chased | 105/1 (14.5 overs) by India vs West Indies | |
Lowest score defended | 390/5 (50 overs) by India vs Sri Lanka | |
T20 | Total Matches | 4 |
Matches won batting first | 2 | |
Matches won bowling first | 2 | |
Average 1st innings score | 144 | |
Average 2nd innings score | 133 | |
Highest total recorded | 235/4 (20 overs) by India vs Australia | |
Lowest total recorded | 0/0 (0 overs) | |
Highest score chased | 173/2 (18.3 overs) by West Indies vs India | |
Lowest score defended | 67/5 (8 overs) by India vs New Zealand |
FAQ’s about Greenfield Stadium
Q) What is the seating capacity of Greenfield International Stadium?
A) The Greenfield International Stadium in Kerala can accommodate up to 50,000 spectators, making it one of the largest cricket stadiums in India by seating capacity.
Q) When was the first ODI played at the Greenfield Stadium?
A) The stadium hosted its first One Day International (ODI) cricket match on November 1, 2018.
Q) What are the boundary lengths at Greenfield International Stadium?
A) The square boundaries measure around 65 meters, while the straight boundaries are approximately 70 meters.
Q) What is the highest ODI total at Greenfield Stadium?
A) The highest ODI score at the stadium is 390/5, achieved by India against Sri Lanka.
Q) What other sports facilities does the Greenfield Stadium offer?
A) Apart from cricket and football, the stadium has indoor sports facilities for table tennis, basketball, badminton, a gym, and a spa.
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