Home to the Delhi Ranji team and the Delhi Daredevils, the Feroz Shah Kotla is India’s second-oldest international cricket stadium, named after its proximity to the historic Feroz Shah Kotla fortress, built by Sultan Feroz Shah Tughlaq. Established in 1883, the ground has seen significant renovations over the years. Locally, it’s affectionately referred to as ‘Kotla,’ which translates to citadel or fortress. The stadium’s inaugural international match was a Test match between India and the West Indies in 1948.

Stadium Overview

The Feroz Shah Kotla has been a particularly favorable ground for the Indian cricket team. Between 1993 and 2007, India won seven consecutive Tests here. In their last ten Tests, India won nine and drew one, with their last Test defeat dating back to 1987 when India was bowled out for 75 in the first innings. In One Day Internationals (ODIs), India’s performance at Kotla is commendable. Since April 2005, they have won six games and suffered no losses, with one game being canceled, and another ending in a no result. India’s most recent ODI loss at Kotla was against Pakistan, who won by 159 runs, eventually taking the ODI series 4-2 after India had initially led 2-0.
Regarding pitch conditions, over the years, the Feroz Shah Kotla pitch has been primarily favorable to batsmen. However, in December 2009, the pitch received severe criticism during an ODI between India and Sri Lanka. The pitch was declared unfit and hazardous due to irregular bounce, with Sri Lanka at 83 for 5 when the officials decided to stop the match for player safety.
Following the match referee’s report, the stadium faced the possibility of a 1-2 year ban. A ban exceeding 14 months would have resulted in the stadium losing its hosting rights for the 2011 World Cup. Nonetheless, the ICC imposed a 12-month ban, allowing Kotla to host four World Cup games, including India’s match against the Netherlands.

Notable Records at Feroz Shah Kotla:

  1. Anil Kumble’s remarkable 10/74 in an innings against Pakistan in 1999, made him only the second bowler, after Jim Laker, to achieve this feat.
  2. In 1983, Sunil Gavaskar scored his 29th Test century at this venue, equaling Sir Donald Bradman’s record for the most centuries in Test cricket.
  3. In 2005, Sachin Tendulkar surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test centuries, achieving his 35th Test century during the second Test against Sri Lanka at this stadium.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2024 matches are scheduled at this venue

  1. 08:30 GMT IND vs AFG, 9th Match
  2. 08:30 GMT ENG vs AFG, 13th Match
  3. 08:30 GMT AUS vs NED, 24th Match
  4. 08:30 GMT BAN vs SL, 38th Match
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