Greenfield International Stadium
Greenfield International Stadium also known as The Sports Hub and previously as Trivandrum International Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Kerala, India used mainly for cricket.[4] The stadium is located at Kariavattom in Thiruvananthapuram city. It was built on 36 acres of land leased by the Kerala University for ₹94 lakh (US$146,527.23) per year for a period of 15 years.[5] It is India's first DBOT (design, build, operate and transfer) model outdoor stadium. The Greenfield Stadium became India's 50th international cricket venue on 7 November 2017 when it hosted a T20I against New Zealand.[6] On 1 November 2018, the venue hosted its first ODI.[7] The Greenfield International Stadium is the major venue for the Kerala cricket team.
Greenfield Stadium | |
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 Greenfield International Stadium on a matchday in 2017 | |
| Location | Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 8°34′17.4″N 76°53′03.5″E |
| Owner | Kerala University |
| Operator | Kariavattom Sports Facilities Limited (KSFL), Kerala Cricket Association |
| Capacity | 50,000[1][2] |
| Surface | Grass (oval) |
| Construction | |
| Broke ground | 2012 |
| Built | 2015 |
| Opened | January 26, 2015 |
| Construction cost | ₹390 crore (US$49 million) |
| Architect | Collage Design, Mumbai[3] |
| Main contractors | Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services Limited (IL&FS) |
| Website | |
| thesportshub | |
| Ground information | |
| International information | |
| First ODI | 1 November 2018: India v  West Indies |
| Last ODI | 15 January 2023: India v  Sri Lanka |
| First T20I | 7 November 2017: India v  New Zealand |
| Last T20I | 28 September 2022: India v  South Africa |
| As of 15 January 2023 Source: Cricinfo | |
Facilities
The ground is designed such that it can be used for international cricket and football. The playing arena in the stadium has been constructed in line with FIFA regulations and International Cricket Council norms. It has a seating capacity for 50,000 spectators.[1][2]
The stadium has been demarcated into four zones, where the north zone is dedicated to cricket, the east zone for football and each zone has a players' lounge, gymnasium, media center, and stock room. Shopping malls and a food court are placed in the south zone. The adjoining Pavilion accommodates the latest facilities for squash, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, and an Olympic size swimming pool.
The first fully eco-friendly stadium in India, it is surrounded by green plants and also has a rainwater harvesting facility. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority and Pollution Control Board have commended the builders for the green initiatives taken.[8]
The stadium is 13.3 km from Trivandrum International Airport, 14.4 km from Trivandrum Central Railway Station, and Central Bus Station Thiruvananthapuram.
Construction details
It was the first stadium in India built on the DBOT (design, build, operate and transfer) basis. It is also the first stadium in the country to be developed on annuity mode.[9] [10] The Greenfield stadium will be operated for 15 years by the company that built it. It will then be handed over to the University of Kerala, which has leased 36 acres for it. The university will receive Rs 94 lakhs per year as a lease.
Cricket
On 27 May 2016, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) signed an agreement with Kariyavattom Sports Facilities Limited (KSFL) to take Greenfield Stadium on lease until 18 November 2027. According to the agreement, the KCA will be using the stadium for 180 days a year (from 1 October to 31 January and from 1 April to 30 May). However, the KCA can still hold cricket matches on other days if the stadium is available. The KCA will be held responsible for the maintenance of the playing area inside the stadium. The KCA will pay a fixed amount as fees and will share revenue with KSFL when international matches are held at the stadium. A joint committee consisting of six members, three each from KCA and KSFL, will manage and monitor the activities during the lease period. The KCA members in the committee will be its secretary and president.[11]
Greenfield International Stadium Boundary Length
There is not much playing surface at the Greenfield Stadium. The square boundaries are approximately 65 metres, while the straighter boundaries are approximately 70 metres. Even though the pitch is not very long, it will still be challenging for the batters since it is primarily a bowler's pitch.[12]
Greenfield International Stadium Pitch Report
The Greenfield International Stadium has proven to be a difficult pitch for batters, with bowlers having the upper hand. In the past year, South Africa and India had a T20I match there that was entirely bowler-centric. Subsequently, an OD between India and West Indies happened in 2018 where the latter were restricted to an embarrassing 104 runs. It is a track where pacers can capitalize on early swing, while spinners will have more success as the pitch matures.
1st ODI
On 1 November 2018, India played against West Indies in an ODI, the second international game to be played at the ground, with the home team winning by 9 wickets.
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2nd ODI
On 15 January 2023, India played against Sri Lanka in an ODI, the second ODI game to be played at the ground, with the home team winning by 317 runs.
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- India won the toss and elected to bat.
- This was the Second ODI to be played at this venue.
1st T20I
On 7 November 2017, India played a T20I against New Zealand on the ground. The match was reduced to 8 overs per side due to rain, with India winning by 6 runs.[14]
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- New Zealand won the toss and elected to field.
- The match was reduced to 8 overs per side due to rain.
2nd T20I
On 8 December 2019, India played against West Indies in a T20I. The match was won by West Indies.
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- West Indies won the toss and elected to field.
3rd T20I
On 28 September 2022, India played against South Africa in a T20I. The match was won by India.
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- India won the toss and elected to field.
Greenfield International Stadium ODI records[15]
| Most runs | During South Africa A's tour of India 2019, Reeza Hendricks scored 239 runs at an average of 59.75 on this ground in all five unofficial ODIs. |
| Most wickets | Patel picked up 11 wickets in seven matches at this venue in List A cricket, including four against the England Lions in January 2019 and three against South Africa A a few months later. |
| Highest individual score | Virat Kohli holds the record for the best individual score at the Greenfield Stadium. He smashed 166 off 110 balls and remained unbeaten against Sri Lanka. |
| Best bowling | A five-fer by Yuzvendra Chahal against South Africa A in August 2019 was a fantastic achievement. Ravindra Jadeja, on the other hand, finished with figures of 4/34 against West Indies in ODIs, including dismissals of two of the top three batters. |
| Average 1st innings total | The Greenfield Stadium is not renowned for its batting tracks and the only ODI at this venue witnessed a low-scoring game. The average 1st innings total in List A cricket at this venue is 201. |
| Highest total | Against Sri Lanka in the third ODI, 2023, India scored 390/5 in 50 overs, powered by centuries from Virat Kohli (166) and Shubman Gill (116). |
| Lowest total | The Sri Lankans were bowled out for 73 runs in 22 overs while chasing 391 runs to win, thus recording the lowest ODI total at this venue and succumbing to the largest defeat in ODI history (by 317 runs). |
Football
The first international football tournament hosted by the stadium was the 2015 SAFF championship. India were crowned the champions, beating Afghanistan 2–1. The final recorded an attendance in excess of 48,500.[16]
Semi-final
| India | 3–2 |  Maldives |
|---|---|---|
Chhetri  25'Lalpekhlua 34', 66' |
Report | Nashid 45+2' Amdhan Ali 75' |
Final
| India | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | .svg.png.webp){kind=small} Afghanistan |
|---|---|---|
| Lalpekhlua 72' Chhetri 101' |
Report | Amiri 70' |
Awards
The Sports Hub, Trivandrum was adjudged as the winner of the David Vickers Award for New Venue of the Year, in the Stadium Business Awards 2016 held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain on 1 June 2016.[17]
References
- Rajan, Adwaidh (12 June 2015). "Greenfield Stadium Touching New Heights". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bidding Nation India. All India Football Federation. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- "TRIVANDRUM INTERNATIONAL STADIUM". Collage Design. Retrieved 6 November 2018.
- "Greenfield International Stadium". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- THE IL&FS KERALA STADIUM
- "Capital to host India-NZ T20 in November". The Hindu. 2 August 2017.
- "West Indies eye top-order stability in bid to square series". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- "Trivandrum International Stadium Opened, Ready For Opening Ceremony". The Sports Hub. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- A. Vinod (5 April 2012). "NGS, KSFL sign path-breaking pact". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- Sangeetha Unnithan (26 May 2012). "State capital earning its sporting stripes". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 May 2013.
- "KCA inks deal with KSFL to take Greenfield stadium on lease". The Hindu. 1 November 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- Biswas, Niladri (13 January 2023). "Greenfield International Stadium Thiruvananthapuram Boundary Length and Seating Capacity". The SportsLite. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- "Windies hit new low in final India ODI". SuperSport. Retrieved 1 November 2018.
- "Chahal, Bumrah help India edge eight-over shootout". ESPN Cricinfo. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
- "Greenfield International Stadium ODI records". SportsAdda. 15 January 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
- "SAFF Suzuki Cup on Twitter". Twitter. Retrieved 5 November 2018.
- "Sports Hub wins coveted award". The Hindu. 3 June 2016. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
External links
- Greenfield International Stadium ESPNCricinfo
- The Sports Hub Trivandrum official website Archived 26 June 2019 at the Wayback Machine
