K. D. Singh Babu Stadium

K. D. Singh Babu Stadium is a multi purpose stadium, located in the busy area of Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The stadium primarily hosts cricket and also tennis, football, hockey and several other sports.

It is also a hub for indoor games. The capacity of the stadium is 25,000 and it is owned by Uttar Pradesh Government.

The stadium is the home ground for Uttar Pradesh Cricket Team and regularly hosts its domestic matches.

History

Built in 1957, K. D. Singh Babu Stadium is one of the oldest stadium in the country. It has been a frequent venue for hosting domestic matches of Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, C.K. Nayudu Trophy etc. since its establishment.

On 26 December 1962, the stadium hosted a Ranji Trophy match between Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan, which Rajasthan had won by 10 wickets. This match was probably first significant match that the venue has hosted.

Major Matches

The stadium has hosted only two international matches of men’s cricket till date.

The first match was an ODI of 1989 MRF World Series (Nehru Cup) between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, in which Pakistan had put 219 runs on the board with the help of captain Imran Khan’s half century. Sri Lanka could not chased down the target and missed it by just 6 runs.

Between 18 Jan and 22 Jan 1994, India hosted Sri Lanka at this venue in the sole Test match. India put a gigantic score of 511 in the first innings with the help of two magnificent centuries from Navjot Singh Sidhu and Sachin Tendulkar.

In response, Sri Lanka could only made 218 in the first innings and 174 in the second innings. As a result, visitors lost the match by an innings and 119 runs. Anil Kumble’s 11 wickets in the match had earned Man of the Match award for him.