Image Credit: wikipedia.org
Island nation Sri Lanka, known for its stunning beaches, is one of the most cricket-crazy countries in the world. While volleyball is the national sport of the country, cricket enjoys more popularity there. The craze for the game grew even more after Sri Lanka defeated Australia in the final of the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1996. They’ve also won the Champions Trophy once, in 2002, the T20 World Cup in 2014, and were the runners-up at the 2011 ODI World Cup.
Colombo, the capital, often becomes a hub of excitement during matches, bringing fans together to cheer for their team. On the outskirts of the capital city is the R. Premadasa Stadium, one of the main cricket stadiums in the country. Know all about the R. Premadasa Stadium in this article.
Read More: 15 Biggest Cricket Stadiums in the World That Will Take Your Breathe Away
R. Premadasa Stadium History
The R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, named after the former Sri Lankan President Ranasinghe Premadasa, was originally known as the Khettarama Stadium. Built on swampy land near the historic Khettarama Temple, the stadium was initially a simple, 14,000-seat concrete structure. To create the foundation, the swamp was filled in, making it usable for a cricket ground.
On February 2, 1986, it opened with a limited-overs match between Sri Lanka’s and England’s “B” teams. It hosted its ODI match between Sri Lanka and New Zealand in 1986.Â
In 2009, in preparation for the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, the stadium was revamped. It gained a larger seating capacity of 35,000 and added a media box that could host up to 200 journalists, transforming it into a world-class venue. At present, the R. Premadasa stadium capacity is 35,000.
Suggested Read: Know all about ACA VDCA Cricket Stadium
R. Premadasa Stadium Stands
Pavilions A and B at the R. Premadasa Stadium have two levels of seating, offering both lower and upper sections. These pavilions also include corporate boxes for a premium viewing experience.
Pavilions C and D, located near the scoreboard, also have two levels: the lower section is a paved area with open seating, while the upper level has standard seating blocks. The grandstand, along with the top section above the player areas, provides higher-quality seating for fans.
R. Premadasa Stadium Boundary Length
The boundaries at the R. Premadasa Stadium vary from 68 to 75 meters, with the shortest at 68 meters and the longest reaching 75 meters. The pitch here is generally supportive of spin bowlers, especially as the game advances. As the surface wears down, it becomes harder for batters to score, giving slow bowlers an advantage.Â
Suggested Read: Know about HPCA Stadium History, Records, Pitch, Capacity and Stands
R. Premadasa Stadium Records
STATS | TEST | ODI | T20 |
Total Matches | 8 | 167 | 58 |
Matches won batting first | 2 | 90 | 23 |
Matches won bowling first | 3 | 65 | 34 |
Average 1st innings Score | 319 | 231 | 142 |
Average 2nd innings Score | 385 | 190 | 128 |
Highest total recorded | 952/6 (271 Ovs) By SL vs IND | 375/5 (50 Ovs) By IND vs SL | 215/5 (19.4 Ovs) By BAN vs SL |
Lowest total recorded | 86/10 (27.4 Ovs) By BAN vs SL | 50/10 (15.2 Ovs) By SL vs IND | 80/10 (17.2 Ovs) By AFG vs ENG |
Highest score chased | 391/6 (114.5 Ovs) By SL vs ZIM | 292/4 (48.3 Ovs) By SL vs AUS | 215/5 (19.4 Ovs) By BAN vs SL |
Lowest score defended | 297/10 (131.5 Ovs) By SL vs NZ | 170/10 (49.2 Ovs) By WIW vs SLW | 115/6 (20 Ovs) By RSA vs SL |
The R. Premadasa Stadium has hosted 8 Test matches, with teams batting first winning twice and teams bowling first winning three times. The average scores are 319, 385, 288, and 246 across the four innings, with the highest Test total of 952/6 by Sri Lanka against India and the lowest at 86 by Bangladesh.
In ODIs, 167 matches have been played, with 90 wins for teams batting first and 65 for teams bowling first. The average first and second innings scores are 231 and 190, respectively. The highest ODI score here is 375/5 by India, and the lowest is 50 by Sri Lanka.
Among major tournaments and matches, the stadium has hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 final between Sri Lanka and West Indies, the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final between Sri Lanka and India and the first semi-final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. It also hosted the entire Asia Cup in 2023.
One of the most famous matches at R. Premadasa Stadium was Sri Lanka’s incredible 952/6 against India in 1997, the highest total in Test cricket history.
This historic score came in the first Test of the series, where Sri Lankan batsmen Sanath Jayasuriya and Roshan Mahanama put on a remarkable 576-run partnership. Jayasuriya scored 340, while Mahanama added 225, frustrating the Indian bowlers over three days. The match ultimately ended in a draw, but Sri Lanka’s batting display stood out as a record-breaking achievement.
Further Read:Â 9 Largest Cricket Stadium in India
FAQ’s about R. Premadasa Stadium
Q) What is the seating capacity of the R. Premadasa stadium?
A) The R. Premadasa Stadium has a capacity of 35,000. It features multiple pavilions: Pavilions A and B offer both lower and upper levels, with corporate boxes, while Pavilions C and D have open seating in the lower level and standard seats above. The grandstand provides enhanced seating options.
Q) How does the R. Premadasa Stadium pitch behave?
A) The pitch at R. Premadasa Stadium is known for assisting spin bowlers, especially as the game progresses. As the pitch wears down, it becomes more challenging for batters, making it ideal for spinners in the later stages of a match.
Q) When was the first ODI played at the R. Premadasa Stadium?
A) The first ODI match at this stadium was played in 1986 between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
Q) What is the highest Test score at the R. Premadasa Stadium?
A) The highest Test score at this stadium is 952/6, achieved by Sri Lanka against India in 1997. This remains the highest team total in Test cricket history.