Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow isn’t your typical high-scoring Indian venue.
Opened in 2017, this modern stadium can hold 50,000 fans but has built a reputation for something else—tough cricket.
The pitch here is slow. The boundaries are massive at 63-70 meters. Spinners get natural help.
These factors make BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium Records in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is look very different from those on flat pitches like Chinnaswamy or Wankhede.
Since hosting its first international match, Ekana has shown clear patterns. Batsmen struggle to score freely.
Bowlers, especially spinners, dominate the middle overs. Big hitting isn’t easy despite shorter formats demanding it.
This stadium has hosted one Test, 14 ODIs, and 9 T20Is. Each format tells its own story about how this pitch behaves.
The numbers reveal why captains fear batting last here in Tests, why chasing works in ODIs, and why T20 scores stay controlled.
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium Records in Test, ODIs, and T20Is

Let’s break down every stat, every record, and what they actually mean for teams playing here.
Ekana Stadium: Identity & Infrastructure Facts
Before diving into records, here’s what defines this venue:
- Full Name: Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium
- Also Called: Ekana International Cricket Stadium
- Location: Ekana Sportz City, Gomti Nagar Extension, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Year Opened: 2017
- Seating Capacity: 50,000 spectators
- Floodlights: Yes (day-night matches possible)
- Home Teams:
- Uttar Pradesh (Ranji Trophy, domestic cricket)
- Lucknow Super Giants (Indian Premier League since 2022)
- Boundary Dimensions:
- Shortest boundary: 63 meters
- Longest boundary: 70 meters
- Bowling Ends: North End, South End
Infrastructure Quality
The stadium has modern facilities matching international standards. Dressing rooms, media centers, practice pitches—everything needed for top-level cricket exists here.
But infrastructure doesn’t change pitch behavior. The playing surface remains the defining feature of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Cricket Stadium.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Stadium, Lucknow Pitch Report: Batting or Bowling?
Understanding the pitch explains every record at this venue.
Surface Type & Composition
- Soil: Black soil base
- Nature: Slow and low-bouncing
- Pace: Ball doesn’t come onto the bat quickly
- Carry: Limited carry to the wicketkeeper
How Spin Operates Here?
Spinners get natural assistance from day one. The black soil provides grip. Turn increases as matches progress.
In powerplay overs, the ball might skid through occasionally. But post-powerplay, spin becomes deadly. Middle overs belong to spinners across all formats.
Pace Bowling Challenges
Fast bowlers struggle here. The pitch offers no bounce or movement. Raw pace gets neutralized by the slow surface.
What works? Slower balls, cutters, variations. Bowlers who can change pace succeed. Those relying on speed alone suffer.
Dew Factor Analysis
Good news for bowlers—dew doesn’t dominate at Ekana. Unlike some north Indian venues where dew makes night bowling a nightmare, Lucknow stays relatively dry.
This means bowling standards remain consistent in day-night matches. The ball doesn’t get too wet to grip.
Toss Strategy Impact
Captains winning the toss usually bat first. Setting a target works better than chasing, especially in Tests and T20Is.
Why? The pitch doesn’t deteriorate dramatically in ODIs, but batting first still offers psychological advantages. Teams know they can defend totals with smart bowling.
Lucknow Stadium Pitch Report: Batting or Bowling Final Verdict
Clear answer: This pitch favours bowling strongly.
Here’s the breakdown:
- Batting Difficulty Level: Medium-High (Hard in Tests, Moderate in ODIs/T20s)
- Spin Bowling Impact: High (Works in all formats)
- Pace Bowling Impact: Medium (Needs variations, not raw speed)
- Boundary Effect: High (63-70m boundaries reduce easy sixes)
Batsmen need patience, placement, and smart shot selection. Power-hitting alone doesn’t work.
Test Match Records: One Game, Clear Lessons
Only one Test match has been played at Ekana – West Indies versus Afghanistan in November 2019. But that single match revealed everything about red-ball cricket here.
Test Cricket Statistics
| Category | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total Test matches played | 1 |
| Matches won batting first | 0 |
| Matches won bowling first | 1 (West Indies) |
| Average 1st innings score | 187 runs |
| Average 2nd innings score | 277 runs |
| Average 3rd innings score | 120 runs |
| Average 4th innings score | 33 runs |
| Highest team total | 277/10 (West Indies vs Afghanistan, 83.3 overs) |
| Lowest team total | 120/10 (Afghanistan vs West Indies, 43.1 overs) |
| Highest chase | 33/1 (West Indies won easily in 6.2 overs) |
What do These Numbers Mean?
Look at the 3rd innings average—120 runs. That’s a collapse score. Afghanistan couldn’t handle the deteriorating pitch when batting third.
The 4th innings show just 33 runs because the West Indies needed barely anything to win. The match ended quickly.
The first innings average of 187 is extremely low for Test cricket. Most venues see 300+ first innings scores. Here, crossing 200 is an achievement.
Test Batting Records
Only Test Century Scored:
| Player | Score | Team | Balls | Against | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shamarh Brooks | 111* | West Indies | 214 | Afghanistan | Nov 28, 2019 | WI won |
Brooks’ unbeaten 111 took 214 balls—almost 36 overs. Every run was a battle. The pitch offered nothing easy.
No other batsman crossed 100 in that entire match across four innings. That stat alone shows how tough Test batting is here.
Test Bowling Records: Five-Wicket Hauls
| Bowler | Figures | Team | Opposition | Innings | Overs | Match Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rahkeem Cornwall | 7/75 | West Indies | Afghanistan | 1st | 25.3 | Nov 27, 2019 |
| Hamza Hotak | 5/74 | Afghanistan | West Indies | 2nd | 28.3 | Nov 27, 2019 |
Cornwall’s 7-wicket haul destroyed Afghanistan’s first innings. He bowled over 25 overs—long, grinding spells that exploited the pitch perfectly.
Both bowlers are spinners. Both bowled marathon spells. Both dominated completely.
Why Tests Strongly Favour Bowlers?
The evidence is overwhelming:
- Only one century in four innings
- Two five-wicket hauls by spinners
- Average scores drop dramatically by innings
- 3rd innings become nearly impossible to bat in
Test cricket at Ekana rewards patient bowling and punishes batting mistakes. The slow, low pitch becomes slower and lower each day.
ODI Records: Where Chasing Teams Win?
Fourteen ODI matches have been played at Ekana. The statistics reveal surprising success for teams batting second.
ODI Statistics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total ODI matches | 14 |
| Matches won batting first | 4 |
| Matches won bowling first | 10 |
| Average 1st innings score | 226 runs |
| Average 2nd innings score | 205 runs |
| Highest ODI total | 311/7 (South Africa vs Australia, October 2023) |
| Lowest ODI total | 129/10 (England vs India) |
| Highest successful chase | 269/3 (South Africa Women vs India Women) |
| Lowest total defended | 248/5 (India Women vs South Africa Women) |
The Chasing Advantage
10 out of 14 matches went to chasing teams. That’s a 71% success rate for batting second.
Why does chasing work better here than in Tests? Three reasons:
- Pitch doesn’t deteriorate as fast in 50 overs
- Teams know the target and can pace innings
- Dew doesn’t affect much, removing bowling disadvantage
ODI Batting Records: Top Run-Scorers
Most Runs at Ekana (ODI Cricket):
| Rank | Player | Country | Total Runs | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shai Hope | West Indies | 229 runs | Multiple |
| 2 | Quinton de Kock | South Africa | 157 runs | Multiple |
| 3 | Rahmat Shah | Afghanistan | 156 runs | Multiple |
Shai Hope dominates with 229 runs. He understands this pitch—plays straight, rotates strike, waits for scoring opportunities.
De Kock’s 157 includes his explosive 109 against Australia. Rahmat Shah’s consistency shows Afghanistan’s comfort at this venue.
ODI Centuries: Elite Achievement
Only three ODI hundreds scored across 14 matches:
| Player | Score | Team | Balls | Against | Date | Gender |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shai Hope | 109* | West Indies | 145 | Afghanistan | Nov 11, 2019 | Men |
| Quinton de Kock | 109 | South Africa | 106 | Australia | Oct 12, 2023 | Men |
| Lizelle Lee | 132* | South Africa | 132 | India | Mar 12, 2021 | Women |
Lizelle Lee’s 132 not out remains the highest individual ODI score at this ground. She batted sensibly—132 runs off 132 balls shows perfect strike rotation without taking unnecessary risks.
Highest ODI Team Score
South Africa’s 311/7 against Australia is the Lucknow Cricket Stadium record highest ODI total. De Kock’s 109 anchored that innings.
Even 311 required 50 full overs. The run rate was 6.22—good but not explosive. The pitch made them work for every run.
ODI Bowling Records
Most wickets at Ekana: Dilshan Madushanka (Sri Lanka) – 7 wickets
Madushanka uses slower balls and cutters brilliantly. The pitch suits his variations perfectly.
What Lucknow Cricket Stadium Last Match Scorecard show?
Recent ODI scorecards at this venue consistently show:
- First innings totals between 220-250
- Chasing the team’s pace innings carefully
- Spinners taking crucial middle-over wickets
- Death overs deciding close games
The Lucknow Cricket Stadium last match scorecard pattern proves smart batting beats aggressive slogging here.
T20I Records: Controlled Aggression Zone
Nine T20 internationals have been played at Ekana. The shortest format meets the slowest pitch.
T20I Statistics
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Total T20I matches | 9 |
| Matches won batting first | 5 |
| Matches won bowling first | 4 |
| Average 1st innings score | 151 runs |
| Average 2nd innings score | 126 runs |
| Highest T20I total | 199/2 (India vs Sri Lanka) |
| Lowest score defended | 156/8 (Afghanistan vs West Indies) |
| Highest chase completed | 159/4 (South Africa Women vs India Women) |
What These Numbers Really Mean?
151 average first innings score is moderate for T20 cricket. Most modern T20 venues see 170-180 averages.
The 25-run difference between first and second innings averages (151 vs 126) shows that batting first gives an advantage. Teams defending can use the pitch’s slow nature.
T20I Batting Record: Rohit’s Masterclass
Ekana Stadium highest score in T20 internationals:
| Player | Score | Team | Balls | SR | Against | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rohit Sharma | 111* | India | 61 | 181.97 | West Indies | Nov 6, 2018 |
Rohit’s unbeaten 111 off 61 balls is the only T20I century here. Strike rate of 181.97 shows complete dominance.
He hit massive sixes that cleared the 70-meter boundaries. Perfect timing made the difference—not just muscle. This innings proved that class can overcome pitch conditions.
T20I Bowling Record: Janat’s Spell
| Bowler | Figures | Team | Against | Overs | Economy | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karim Janat | 5/11 | Afghanistan | West Indies | 4 | 2.75 | Nov 16, 2019 |
5 wickets for 11 runs in T20 cricket is phenomenal. Economy of 2.75 in a format where 8-9 is normal shows complete control.
Janat used the pitch’s grip and his own variations to destroy West Indies. This spell remains unmatched at the venue.
Ekana Cricket Stadium T20 Records Scorecard Patterns
Analyzing multiple Ekana Cricket Stadium T20 Records scorecard entries reveals:
- Scores between 145-165 are competitive
- 180+ scores are rare
- Spinners bowl economically in middle overs
- Death overs see slower balls and yorkers dominating
- Chasing 150+ is genuinely tough
Ekana Cricket Stadium Records T20 Summary
Ekana cricket stadium records t20 prove this isn’t a six-hitting paradise. It’s a venue where smart batting and clever bowling win matches.
IPL Records at Ekana: Lucknow Super Giants’ Home
Since 2022, Lucknow Super Giants have called Ekana home. IPL cricket here has shown interesting patterns.
IPL Match Trends
Ekana cricket stadium records ipl analysis shows:
- First innings scores typically 160-190
- Higher than international T20s (151 average)
- Still controlled compared to Chinnaswamy or Eden Gardens
- Spinners remain crucial in the middle overs
- Big boundaries challenge even IPL power-hitters
Why IPL Scores Are Higher?
Three reasons explain this:
- IPL batsmen are specialist power-hitters
- Franchise teams practice at the venue more
- Aggressive batting approaches in franchise cricket
- Better knowledge of boundary dimensions and shot selection
But even in IPL, scores stay 20-30 runs below typical high-scoring venues.
IPL Records Breakdown
Looking at Ekana cricket stadium ipl records scorecard from multiple seasons:
- LSG prefers batting first at home
- Defending 170-180 is achievable with good bowling
- Toss winners usually choose to bat
- Home advantage exists, but isn’t overwhelming
Lucknow Stadium T20 Records IPL Scorecard Analysis
Lucknow stadium t20 records ipl scorecard entries consistently show:
- Powerplay scores around 45-55 (moderate)
- Middle-overs run rate drops to 7-8
- Death overs see 10-12 run rate
- Spinners take 2-3 wickets regularly
- Total team scores rarely cross 200
Key IPL Observation
The Ekana cricket stadium t20 records ipl prove that even franchise cricket’s best batsmen respect this pitch. Smart cricket beats blind aggression.
Boundary Dimensions: Why Size Kills Six-Hitting?
The 63-70 meter boundaries aren’t just numbers—they change match outcomes.
Impact on Batting
For power-hitters:
- Mishits fall short of the rope
- Perfect timing required, not just strength
- Risk-reward calculation changes
- Placement becomes more valuable than power
For smart batsmen:
- Running twos and threes becomes crucial
- Gap-finding matters more
- Rotating strike pays off
- The singles accumulation strategy works
Impact on Bowling
Defensive benefits:
- Bowlers can attack without fearing sixes
- Slower balls become safer options
- Yorkers and wide deliveries are less risky
- Death bowling pressure reduces
Strategic changes:
- Spinners can flight the ball
- Fast bowlers use more bouncers
- Variation bowling gets rewarded
- Defensive fields work better
Real Match Example
When South Africa scored 311/7 in that ODI, they still needed 50 full overs. Even with de Kock’s century, big boundaries prevented quick run accumulation.
Compare this to smaller grounds where 311 might come in 45-46 overs with more sixes. Here, placement and running mattered more.
India’s Record at Ekana Stadium
How has India performed at this home venue?
Test Cricket
India hasn’t played a Test at Ekana yet. The only Test was West Indies vs Afghanistan.
Future Test matches will reveal how India’s spin-heavy attack performs here.
ODI Cricket Performance
India has played several ODIs at Ekana with mixed results:
- Won crucial matches against lower-ranked teams
- Strong spin bowling performances
- Batsmen showed tactical awareness
- Not always dominant despite home advantage
The pitch doesn’t automatically favor India. Smart cricket still determines outcomes.
T20I Cricket Record
India’s T20I performances include:
- Rohit Sharma’s 111* century highlight
- India vs Sri Lanka high-scoring game (199/2)
- Generally positive win-loss record
- Home conditions are understood well
India’s quality spinners and tactical batting suit Ekana’s conditions. But opposition teams have also won here.
Overall Assessment
India doesn’t dominate Ekana the way they dominate some other home venues. The pitch’s nature keeps matches competitive regardless of rankings.
Format-Wise Final Ranking: Toughest to Easiest
Let’s rank all formats based on batting difficulty at Ekana.
Rank 1: Test Cricket (Hardest)
Average first innings: 187 runs
Why it’s toughest:
- Pitch deteriorates severely by day 3-4
- Spinners get increasing turn
- Low bounce makes shot-making difficult
- Fourth innings batting nearly impossible
- Only one century in one complete Test match
Test cricket here is a survival challenge for batsmen.
Rank 2: ODI Cricket (Tactical Challenge)
Average first innings: 226 runs
Why it’s moderate:
- 50 overs allow patient innings building
- Pitch doesn’t break down as badly as Tests
- Chasing teams actually succeed often
- Smart batting overcomes conditions
- Three centuries prove it’s manageable with skill
ODIs require tactics and patience, not just survival.
Rank 3: T20I/IPL (Controlled But Manageable)
Average first innings: 151 (T20I), 165-190 (IPL)
Why is it relatively easier?
- Shorter format reduces the pitch deterioration impact
- Aggressive batting can work with good timing
- Powerplay overs offer scoring opportunities
- Rohit’s 111* proves big scores possible
- IPL shows even higher totals achievable
T20 cricket here is challenging but not a nightmare. Good batsmen can score if they bat smartly.
Overall Ranking Conclusion
BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium Records in Test, ODIs, and T20I clearly establish a difficulty hierarchy. Tests are brutal. ODIs are tough but fair. T20s give batsmen fighting chances.
The format matters as much as the pitch at this venue.
Conclusion: Ekana’s Unique Cricket Identity
Ekana Stadium has established a clear cricket identity since 2017. The numbers across formats tell consistent stories.
Key takeaways from all records:
- Pitch favors bowling, especially spin
- Big boundaries (63-70m) reduce easy sixes
- Test cricket is extremely difficult here
- ODI chasing teams win 71% of matches
- T20 scores stay controlled despite modern power-hitting
- Only 5 international centuries across all formats
- Spinners dominate with multiple five-wicket hauls
This venue rewards smart cricket over aggressive cricket. Placement beats power. Patience pays off. Variations work better than raw pace.
What Makes Ekana Special?
Unlike typical flat Indian pitches, where 350+ ODI scores and 220+ T20 scores are common, Ekana keeps cricket balanced. Bowlers have genuine chances. Batsmen must earn runs.
Upcoming Cricket
India vs South Africa 4th T20I on December 17, 2025, will add more data. Both teams will test these conditions again.
Ekana cricket stadium records scorecard entries will continue growing. But the fundamental nature won’t change—this pitch will always challenge batsmen and reward smart bowling.
For cricket fans, Ekana offers tactical battles rather than run-fests. That’s what makes it valuable in modern cricket’s six-hitting era.
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