Holkar Cricket Stadium – Overview of History and Characteristics

Historical Background

The Yeshwant Club Ground, which the Holkar royal family frequented in the 1940s, is where the stadium’s history begins. Madhya Pradesh cricket moved from the old-world Nehru Stadium to Holkar in the 1990s after the rebuilding, and the stadium now receives the lion’s share of Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Cup, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches. The 156th ODI match between India and England occurred there in April 2006, marking the moment of truth. Ten years later, Indore was again on the international scene after India’s 557-run thumping of New Zealand made it the 22nd Indian Test venue.

Stadium’s Design and Architecture

A cauldron-like atmosphere is created by Holkar’s small oval, which ensures that no seat is more than 70 meters from the action. Climate-controlled pods and a fiber-optic connection to the LED super-screen, which was installed in 2022, are located on two four-story stands with corporate boxes.

The design also incorporates heritage elements: the press box honors the recently departed BCCI president, H.H. Madhav Rao Scindia, and the gate arches pay homage to local legendary cricketers like Narendra Hirwani. The 2022 solar retrofit now provides India’s first outdoor metro facilities with up to 75% match-day power.

MPCA’s solar project makes Holkar India’s third solar-powered international ground after Bengaluru and Mumbai, saving an estimated ₹1.4 crore annually. Further, 2025-26 plans include rainwater harvesting tanks below the Railway End and hybrid grass trials to combat monsoon fungal damage.

Memorable Matches at Holkar Cricket Stadium

Holkar loves records, as this stadium has seen sensational totals, rapid finishes, and spell-bound moments. Here are the most notable moments described by our experts.

Key Achievements Recorded

Holkar Stadium has small boundaries, which often lead to big scores. However, the ground has also seen some top individual efforts with both bat and ball. Below are some of the most memorable highs and lows from matches played here:

• Highest Test Team Total. India 557/5 against New Zealand, 2016;
• Lowest Test Total (109). India vs Australia, 2023;
• Best Test Match Bowling. R. Ashwin 13/140 vs New Zealand, 2016; N. Lyon 11/99 vs India, 2023;
• Highest ODI Total. India 418/5 vs West Indies, 2011;
• Best ODI Bowling. S. Sreesanth 6/55 vs England, 2006;
• Highest T20I Total. India 260/5 vs Sri Lanka, 2017;
• Best T20I Bowling. Yuzvendra Chahal 4/52 vs Sri Lanka, 2017 – expensive yet wicket-rich, supplanting an earlier misconception of a 6-for.

Conclusion

Underneath the statistics, Holkar is a testament to cricket’s decentralization in India — proof that a non-metro town can deliver sell-outs, world-class infrastructure, and carbon-smart innovation. From Sehwag’s record 219 to Lyon’s 11-wicket masterclass, the stadium has penned various stories into cricket’s history, all within limits barely longer than a school corridor.

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