The Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium, the first solar-powered stadium in Gujarat, is in Rajkot, India. Also known as Khandheri Cricket Stadium, built in 2008, capacity of 28,000 seats, and hosts various sports.
As the home ground for both the Saurashtra cricket team in local games and the Indian cricket team, it is a key place in the cricket world.
England beat India by nine runs with a total of 325/4 in the first-ever One Day International match played at the stadium in January 2013. It later held its first T20 between India and Australia in October 2013, which India won by chasing down a total of 201/7 with six wickets and two balls remaining.
An uneventful Test match involving India and England took place in November 2016 at this venue. It has held one other Test match since then. Let’s explore the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium’s history and statistics.
The Test Records and Statistics are as follows:-
Highest Total
The Indian cricket team has scored the most runs at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in test cricket. The Indians achieved 649/9 after deciding to bat first during the first Test of the West Indies vs India. Prithvi Shaw, R Jadeja, Rishabh Pant and C Pujara all contributed to India’s historic Test total at the venue as Captain Kohli led from the front. Afterwards, India won the Rajkot Test by an innings and 272 runs after bowling out the West Indies for 181 and 196 in their two innings.
Lowest total
The West Indies cricket team persisted with a challenging outing, recording the lowest total at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium during the opening Test of their tour of India in 2018. Facing a persistent Indian bowling attack, the visitors were bundled out for a trivial 181 in their first innings. Ravichandran Ashwin’s spin magic destroyed the West Indian batting lineup.
Highest individual score
Virat Kohli, the epitome of batting excellence, carved his name into the annals of Test cricket history with a majestic innings at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. Batting with characteristic flair and determination, Kohli orchestrated a breathtaking knock of 139 runs off 230 deliveries against West Indies in 2018, anchoring India’s formidable first-innings total of 649/9d and guiding his team to a resounding victory by an innings and 272 runs.
Most Runs
The eminent duo of C Pujara and Kohli dominate as the highest run-scorers at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Test cricket. Pujara’s stroke play and Kohli’s unmatched skills collected 228 runs each in two Test matches between 2016 and 2018, adorning their records with centuries and half-centuries, thereby engraving their names in the cricketing history.
Most Wickets
Ravichandran Ashwin, the stalwart of India’s spin arsenal, emerges as the leading wicket-taker at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Test cricket. With a mesmerising display of spin bowling prowess, Ashwin scalped nine crucial wickets in two matches, showcasing his unwavering mastery over the traditional format of the game. Adil Rashid follows closely with a commendable performance, claiming seven wickets in a solitary Test appearance at the venue in 2016.
Best Bowling Stats in a Match
Adil Rashid has the best bowling numbers in a Test match at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. The skilled leg-spinner grabbed seven wickets during the opening Test of England’s 2016 tour of India. Rashid took four wickets for 114 runs in the first innings and added three more for 64 in the second. Rashid’s outstanding effort helped England put the hosts under pressure, resulting in a tie in India.
Best Bowling Statistics in an Inning
In a Test match at this venue in 2018, Kuldeep Yadav put up the best bowling stats in an innings. The left-arm wrist spinner recorded brilliant figures of 5/57 to help bundle out West Indies for 196 in their second innings. Kuldeep dismissed K Powell, S Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Sunil Ambris and R Chase as India later won the Test by an innings and 272 runs.
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