2023 ODI World Cup venues: Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium — capacity, entry points, pitch info and all you need to know

Renovation work is in full swing to get the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium ready in time for its first match between South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Matches

October 7 (South Africa vs Sri Lanka); October 11 (India vs Afghanistan); October 15 (England vs Afghanistan); October 25 (Australia vs Netherlands); November 6 (Bangladesh vs Sri Lanka)

One of the five permanent centres and an iconic venue that saw Sunil Gavaskar hit his 29th Test century in 1983 to equal Don Bradman’s record and Anil Kumble’s stunning 10/74 to send Pakistan reeling in 1999, the Ferozeshah Kotla, now renamed Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium, has often been in the news for the wrong reasons. In 2009, the fifth and final ODI between India and Sri Lanka was abandoned after 23.3 overs with Sri Lanka on 83 for five. The venue has come a long way from that dark day in Delhi’s cricket history. The venue has been given a new look to stage five World Cup matches.

Capacity: Officially, the stadium, with old Delhi a stone’s throw away, has a capacity of 37,499. Pillars block some of the seats in the general stands and the corporate boxes but the venue has progressed from the time when spectators were seated on roofless concrete stands. The stadium has gained 1700 seats in the old Club House with the permission of the Municipal authorities.

Hospitality boxes: A total of 37 Corporate Boxes are ready in the DDCA Lounge, Bay Area, Hill `B’ and the BCCI Box. Six Boxes are available in the old Club House apart from Marquee Areas catering to every box. For the general stands, every seat has been replaced with new ones. The DDCA Lounge will have a bar and a restaurant that can cater to 110 people at a time.

Fully renovated dressing rooms will welcome the players with improved facilities at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. | Photo Credit: R. V. MOORTHY

Pitches: There are a total of nine pitches in the main square, two that have been freshly laid, under the supervision of chief curator Ankit Datta , who has experience of the 2016 T20 World Cup and nine IPL seasons. Three pitches in the main square will be used for the World Cup. In addition, the two practice areas will also offer new pitches — two in area 1 out of a total of five and one in area 2 out of a total of eight. New nets have been installed in the practice areas. Black soil has been used to prepare the pitches with a 22 to 30-strong ground staff assisting Datta. 

Drainage and outfield: The DDCA has procured a state-of-the-art cover that will protect the entire playfield. The cover is light in weight and easy to operate. The authorities have added a new super sopper in addition to the three they have. The drainage system promises to make the outfield available for play within 15 minutes of the stoppage of rain. A new outfield mower will also be in use.

Entry points: World-class signages will guide the spectators at the 18 entry points. Gate Nos. 10 to 18 will allow the general public. Gates 1, 3, 6 and 8 have been marked for VIP entry. Gate No 2 will be used for the players and ambulance. Gate No 7 and 9 will be for fire vans to be parked.

The two practice areas at the Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium will also offer new pitches — two in area 1 out of a total of five and one in area 2 out of a total of eight. | Photo Credit: R. V. MOORTHY

Accessibility and challenges: The stadium has a metro station within walking distance. On match days the metro rail authorities press extra services until two hours after the match is over. Every stand will have new lifts to cater to the elderly and individuals with special needs. A total of nine lifts have been added.

In case of emergency: The seats have been coloured in blue, orange and green and the stairway has been given a different colour for the fans to identify the steps in case of emergency.

Dressing rooms: Fully renovated dressing rooms will welcome the players with improved facilities. Seats have been made extra comfortable with dedicated lockers for the players. The authorities have installed a sauna bath in each dressing room and, in a first, provided ice bath tubs with chilled water available right through. At any given time, four players can use the facility which doesn’t require ice bricks. The dressing rooms have access to a modern gym exclusive for the players with equipment to assist high intensity training too.

Washrooms: This was an area that invited scathing criticism for DDCA when it staged the Test match against Australia in February 2023. The authorities have put in place a total of 77 new state of the art washrooms, 47 for men, with special attention for women. The authorities will provide sanitary pad dispensing machines and stations for changing diapers for babies. 

The Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium has gained 1700 seats in the old Club House with the permission of the Municipal authorities.  | Photo Credit: R. V. MOORTHY

Water: Free drinking water will be available in every stand through a centralised Reverse Osmosis (RO) facility in the stadium. The authorities have readied 30 drinking water stations (with 10 taps each) at various locations. Also, eateries at reasonable rates will be available for the fans.

Floodlights: There are four LED towers equipped with 400 LED fixtures. The authorities promise uninterrupted supply of electricity power.

What’s new: LED lights adorn the stadium and facade lighting will illuminate the venue. Gas generators will be in use with an upgraded sub-station and new transformers. A total of 52 new turnstiles have been put in place at a cost of 5.5 crore. New air conditioners will be used in the entire stadium. A canopy at every gate is a new addition with water proofing and fresh paint in every stand adding to the improved infrastructure. There will be two linear scoreboards in addition to the manual scoreboard which is mandatory. The scores will be visible to every spectator in the stadium. A giant screen will add to the entertainment segment. 

“The gate to chair experience is my priority for the fans. I have approached my responsibility as a spectator. I have to look at it from the perspective of a ticket-buying fan. We have to showcase a modern stadium. We have upgraded every facility from the time the stadium was renovated in 2008. I have given special attention to the food and beverages section for the fans with no compromise on hygiene. I saw my first match here as a seven-year old in the 1996 World Cup when India lost to Sri Lanka. I am in charge of the World Cup matches now and I want to give the spectators a world-class stadium. As an administrator, I can always look to provide the best of facilities. But the public should also assure responsible utilisation of the facilities. They have to come back again to enjoy the match viewing experience,” says Rohan Jaitley, president of DDCA. 

Areas that need attention: Parking is an issue at the stadium with space reserved for 300 vehicles catering to teams, broadcasters, BCCI officials, DDCA club members and some important government officials. The organisers have made parking arrangements for ticket holders on match days.

Hotels and tourism: There are many hotels in the vicinity. A popular place is the Delhi Parsi Anjuman Hall, located within 500 metres from the main gate, with rooms at reasonable prices. 

Quite a few star hotels are available in Connaught Place. The tourism is a plus for any visitor to the Capital with the Red Fort, Rajghat and Jama Masjid less than three km from the stadium.