India is a land of cricketing giants from star players to massive stadiums like the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, which holds over 130,000 fans. But on the other end of the spectrum lies a more intriguing detail for true cricket enthusiasts: India’s smallest cricket stadiums.
While size doesn’t always determine the quality of cricket, smaller stadiums often create high-scoring thrillers, showcase batsman-dominated matches, and offer fans a close-up view of the action. In this article, we dive into the smallest cricket stadiums in India, focusing not just on seating capacity, but more importantly, on boundary dimensions the real factor that impacts the game.
Understanding “Smallest” in Stadium Terms
Before we get into the list, let’s define what “smallest” actually means.
When most fans ask about the smallest stadium, they’re often referring to boundary length the distance from the pitch to the boundary rope. Shorter boundaries mean more sixes, faster scoring rates, and bowlers under pressure. In contrast, seating capacity is a secondary measure. Some small-capacity stadiums still have large fields, and vice versa.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) requires boundaries to be a minimum of 59.43 meters (65 yards) from the center of the pitch. However, many Indian stadiums are just around this mark — especially those that were originally built for domestic use and later upgraded for international play.
1. Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore
- City: Indore, Madhya Pradesh
- Established: 1990
- Seating Capacity: ~30,000
- Average Boundary Size: 55–60 meters
- Home Team: Madhya Pradesh Cricket Team
The Holkar Stadium is widely regarded as the smallest international-standard stadium in India in terms of boundary length. The square boundaries in particular are notably short sometimes dipping below 60 meters making it an absolute paradise for aggressive batsmen.
Several high-scoring ODIs and IPL matches have taken place here. Virender Sehwag’s famous 219-run innings came at this very ground, further proving how punishing this venue can be for bowlers.
Its compact nature not only impacts gameplay but also enhances the fan experience. With stands located very close to the field, spectators feel like they’re almost part of the game.
2. M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore
- City: Bangalore, Karnataka
- Established: 1969
- Seating Capacity: ~40,000
- Average Boundary Size: 60–65 meters
- Home Team: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Karnataka Cricket Team
The Chinnaswamy Stadium is not the smallest by seating, but its boundaries particularly square and straight are compact. Add to that the high altitude of Bangalore and a fast outfield, and you have a recipe for six-hitting carnivals.
This is one of the highest run-scoring venues in the IPL. Players like AB de Villiers, Chris Gayle, and Virat Kohli have made full use of its small size to rack up record-breaking totals. It’s also a difficult venue for bowlers especially spinners who often find it challenging to grip and turn the ball due to dew and altitude.
3. Feroz Shah Kotla (Arun Jaitley Stadium), Delhi
- City: New Delhi
- Established: 1883 (Modern upgrades ongoing)
- Seating Capacity: ~41,000
- Average Boundary Size: ~60–65 meters
- Home Team: Delhi Capitals, Delhi State Team
Located in the capital, this historic stadium features relatively short boundaries, especially square and behind the wicket. Though not as small as Holkar or Chinnaswamy, its boundaries are still compact compared to larger venues like Eden Gardens or Motera.
The low and slow pitch often balances things out, making scoring tough unless the batsmen take advantage of the field size. It remains a frequent host for IPL matches and international T20s.
4. Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur
- City: Jaipur, Rajasthan
- Established: 1969
- Seating Capacity: ~30,000
- Average Boundary Size: 65–68 meters
- Home Team: Rajasthan Royals, Rajasthan Cricket Team
This ground has seen numerous memorable IPL matches, especially during the early years of the Rajasthan Royals. The boundaries are not extremely short but are still considered smaller than average, particularly square.
Its seating capacity is modest, which creates a loud and intense atmosphere when packed. Though it hasn’t hosted many international matches in recent years, it remains a stronghold for domestic and IPL games.
5. Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
- City: Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
- Established: 2015
- Seating Capacity: ~50,000
- Average Boundary Size: 60–65 meters
- Home Team: Kerala Cricket Team, occasional India matches
One of the newer stadiums in India, Greenfield is a multi-purpose venue that’s made its mark as a scenic and crowd-friendly cricket ground. While its seating capacity is higher than others on this list, the playing area is relatively small, which has led to high-scoring games, especially in T20Is.
Its infrastructure is modern, and it’s often praised for its cleanliness and event organization. Kerala’s passion for sports ensures a full stadium during key matches.
6. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamshala
- City: Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
- Established: 2003
- Seating Capacity: ~23,000
- Average Boundary Size: ~65 meters
- Home Team: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Team, Punjab Kings (IPL)
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Dhauladhar mountains, HPCA Stadium is perhaps India’s most picturesque cricket venue. While its seating is the smallest among major venues, its boundary sizes are moderate — around 65 meters on average.
Due to the high altitude and thin air, the ball travels faster and further, which compensates for its dimensions. T20 games here are known for breathtaking views and big sixes, even if the field itself isn’t the smallest.
7. Green Park Stadium, Kanpur
- City: Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Established: 1945
- Seating Capacity: ~32,000
- Average Boundary Size: 65–70 meters
- Home Team: Uttar Pradesh Cricket Team
This traditional venue has been part of Indian cricket history for decades. While not particularly known for being small, its seating capacity and older infrastructure place it in the smaller stadium category. The boundaries are standard for international matches but smaller than those at Eden Gardens or Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Hyderabad.
Over the years, Green Park has hosted several important matches, and its flat wicket often results in high-scoring affairs.
8. Barabati Stadium, Cuttack
- City: Cuttack, Odisha
- Established: 1958
- Seating Capacity: ~45,000
- Average Boundary Size: ~60–65 meters
- Home Team: Odisha Cricket Team
Barabati Stadium is not as prominent today on the international calendar, but it remains a key venue for domestic matches and occasional ODIs or T20s. The boundary lengths are smaller than average, especially square, making it a friendly venue for batsmen.
It’s also one of the few major cricket venues in eastern India, offering a different climate and atmosphere compared to northern or southern stadiums.
9. ACA-VDCA Stadium, Visakhapatnam
- City: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Established: 2003
- Seating Capacity: ~27,500
- Average Boundary Size: ~65 meters
- Home Team: Andhra Pradesh Team, occasional India matches
This compact stadium has grown in popularity due to the success of India’s national team and several IPL matches held here. With seating under 30,000 and boundary sizes on the smaller side, ACA-VDCA is a compact, modern ground that favors strokeplay — particularly in the T20 format.
Why Small Stadiums Offer Big Entertainment
Small stadiums often create more exciting games — and here’s why.
- Shorter Boundaries = More Sixes:
With boundaries around or under 60 meters, batsmen are more confident in playing lofted shots, making games thrilling. - Tighter Spaces = Higher Scoring Matches:
The outfield is smaller, so even mishits can go for boundaries. This leads to faster innings and nail-biting finishes. - Closer View for Fans:
Small stadiums bring the audience closer to the pitch. Every six feels louder, every wicket more intense. - Better Conditions for T20 Format:
In T20 cricket, small boundaries balance out pitch quality and help maintain excitement for both local and global audiences.
Summary List: Smallest Cricket Stadiums in India by Boundary Size
Here’s a recap of the stadiums covered:
| Stadium | City | Avg. Boundary Size | Seating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holkar Stadium | Indore | 55–60 meters | 30,000 |
| M. Chinnaswamy Stadium | Bangalore | 60–65 meters | 40,000 |
| Feroz Shah Kotla (Arun Jaitley) | Delhi | ~60–65 meters | 41,000 |
| Sawai Mansingh Stadium | Jaipur | ~65–68 meters | 30,000 |
| Greenfield Stadium | Thiruvananthapuram | 60–65 meters | 50,000 |
| HPCA Stadium | Dharamshala | ~65 meters | 23,000 |
| Green Park Stadium | Kanpur | 65–70 meters | 32,000 |
| Barabati Stadium | Cuttack | ~60–65 meters | 45,000 |
| ACA-VDCA Stadium | Visakhapatnam | ~65 meters | 27,500 |
Conclusion
While the cricket world often admires colossal venues with grand capacities, there’s something incredibly charming and exciting about India’s smallest stadiums. These grounds may be compact, but they offer unmatched intensity, faster gameplay, and unforgettable experiences for fans.
The Holkar Stadium in Indore remains the undisputed champion when it comes to the smallest boundaries, but others like Chinnaswamy and Kotla also make their presence felt with boundary sizes that excite both players and fans.
Whether you’re analyzing IPL strategy or planning your next cricket match visit, knowing which grounds are smaller can help you better understand the game and enjoy it even more.
