The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi stands as India’s second-oldest cricket venue. This historic ground is the home venue of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. With IPL 2026 approaching, fans look forward to more exciting cricket at this legendary stadium.
The stadium was named after Arun Jaitley, a former DDCA President and Finance Minister who passed away in August 2019. Before that, it was known as Feroz Shah Kotla, named after a nearby fort. Since the IPL started in 2008, this ground has witnessed countless memorable moments. Delhi fans call their home ground ‘Qila Kotla,’ hoping it becomes their unconquerable fortress.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Overview and Key Details
The Arun Jaitley Stadium, also known as Feroz Shah Kotla, is one of India’s oldest cricket venues. The ground blends rich history with modern cricket facilities.
The stadium was built in 1883, making it the second-oldest functional international cricket venue in India after Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It hosted its first Test match in November 1948 when India played against the West Indies. Over the decades, this ground has seen legendary performances from cricket greats.
In 1999, Anil Kumble created history here by taking all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan. He became only the second bowler ever to achieve this remarkable feat. In December 2005, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 35th Test century at this venue, breaking Sunil Gavaskar’s record for the most Test centuries.
The stadium has a seating capacity of around 41,820 spectators. The Delhi and District Cricket Association manages and operates this venue. In 2017, the DDCA named four stands after cricket legends Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, Gautam Gambhir, and later added one for Virat Kohli in 2019.
Pitch Report: What Makes Delhi Special
The pitch at Arun Jaitley Stadium creates a balanced contest between bat and ball.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Character | Traditionally slow and low; now flat and batting-friendly (post-2023 renovation). |
| Primary Advantage | Historically favored spinners; currently favors power hitters. |
| Boundary Sizes | Square: 63–67m |
| IPL Match Stats | 95+ Matches Played |
| Batting 1st Wins | 47 |
| Chasing Wins | 49 |
| Key Variable | Dew Factor: Often makes the ball slippery in the evening, aiding the chasing team. |
Batting Records At Arun Jaitley Stadium
The Delhi pitch demands smart batting and good technique. While some players have struggled here, others have made this ground their personal hunting ground.
Top Run Scorers
Here are the Top Run Scorers at Arun Jaitley Stadium:
| Rank | Player | Runs | Innings | Key Stats / Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Warner | 1,048 | 36 | 1 Century, 9 Fifties; Extremely consistent. |
| 2 | Rishabh Pant | 978 | 29 | Strike Rate: 160.06; High power-hitting. |
| 3 | Virender Sehwag | 933 | 28* | Strike Rate: 165.71; Explosive opener. |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer | 855 | 29 | Solid anchor and middle-order mainstay. |
Highest Individual Scores
Here are the Highest Individual Scores:
| Achievement | Player | Score / Time | Balls | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Score (Joint) | Chris Gayle | 128* | 62 | vs Delhi Daredevils | May 17, 2012 |
| Highest Score (Joint) | Rishabh Pant | 128* | 63 | vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | May 10, 2018 |
| Fastest Century | Heinrich Klaasen | 105* | 37 | vs Kolkata Knight Riders | May 25, 2025 |
| Fastest Fifty | Jake Fraser-McGurk | 84 | 15 | vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | April 20, 2024 |
Most Sixes Hit
Power hitting plays a crucial role in T20 cricket. Despite the bigger boundaries compared to some other venues, several batters have cleared the ropes consistently at this ground.
Rishabh Pant leads the six-hitting charts with 58 maximums at this venue. His ability to clear the boundaries with his unorthodox shots has entertained the home crowd for years. The Delhi keeper-batter knows exactly where to hit on this ground.
Most Fours Hit
Finding gaps and hitting boundaries through precise placement remains essential at this venue. These players have perfected the art of boundary hitting at Arun Jaitley Stadium.
David Warner tops this list with 119 fours at this ground. His ability to find gaps consistently and run hard between wickets made him a dangerous opponent. Warner’s classical stroke play, combined with aggressive intent, produced numerous boundaries.
Bowling Records At Arun Jaitley Stadium
While batters often grab headlines, bowlers have also created memorable performances at this venue. The pitch rewards smart bowling and variations, especially from spinners who can use the conditions.
Most Wickets
Here are the Players with the most wickets:
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Innings | Bowling Style & Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amit Mishra | 58 | 45 | Leg-spin: Master of the googly and local flight. |
| 2 | Umesh Yadav | 31 | 29 | Right-arm fast; Known for speed and accuracy. |
| 3 | Morne Morkel | 25 | 18 | Right-arm fast; Utilized extreme bounce and height. |
Best Bowling Figures
Here are the Best Bowling Figures:
| Player | Figures | Opponent | Date | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | 5/13 | vs Delhi Daredevils | April 10, 2011 | Clean-bowled 4 of his 5 victims with searing yorkers. |
| Amit Mishra | 5/17 | vs Deccan Chargers | May 15, 2008 | Included a hat-trick in the final over of the match. |
| Jaydev Unadkat | 5/25 | vs Delhi Daredevils | May 10, 2013 | Used deceptive cutters to dismantle the top and middle order. |
| Amit Mishra | 4/11 | vs Punjab Kings | April 15, 2016 | A masterclass in flight and turn on a traditional Delhi surface. |
| T Natarajan | 4/19 | vs Delhi Capitals | April 20, 2024 | Proved yorkers still work even on modern, flat Delhi pitches. |
Team Records: Highs and Lows
The stadium has witnessed both massive totals and dramatic collapses. The contrasting records show how the pitch can behave differently under various conditions.
Highest Team Totals
Here are the Highest Team Totals:
| Rank | Team | Score | Opponent | Date | Key Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SRH | 278/3 | vs KKR | May 25, 2025 | Travis Head / Abhishek Sharma |
| 2 | SRH | 266/7 | vs DC | April 20, 2024 | Travis Head (89 off 32) |
| 3 | DC | 257/4 | vs MI | April 27, 2024 | J. Fraser-McGurk (84 off 27) |
| 4 | MI | 247/9 | vs DC | April 27, 2024 | Tilak Varma (63 off 32) |
| 5 | DC | 247/9 | vs SRH | April 20, 2024 | J. Fraser-McGurk (65 off 18) |
Lowest Team Totals
Here are the Lowest Team Totals:
| Rank | Team | Score | Opponent | Date | Top Bowler / Destroyer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi Daredevils | 66 All Out | vs Mumbai Indians | May 6, 2017 | Harbhajan Singh & Karn Sharma (3 wickets each) |
| 2 | Delhi Daredevils | 83 All Out | vs Chennai Super Kings | April 18, 2013 | Mohit Sharma (3/10) |
| 3 | Namibia | 116 All Out | vs India (T20WC) | Feb 12, 2026 | Varun Chakravarthy (3/7) |
| 4 | Rajasthan Royals | 129/9 | vs Delhi Daredevils | April 19, 2008 | Farveez Maharoof (2/11) |
Highest Successful Chase
Chasing big totals requires skill and composure on any surface. One chase stands out in Delhi’s IPL history for its audacity.
| Record Category | Team | Score | Target | Opponent | Date | Key Performer(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Successful Chase (IPL) | Mumbai Indians | 219/6 | 219 | Chennai Super Kings | May 1, 2021 | Kieron Pollard (87* off 34) |
| Highest Successful Chase (T20I) | South Africa | 212/3 | 212 | India | June 9, 2022 | David Miller & Rassie van der Dussen |
| Most Efficient Chase | Gujarat Titans | 205/0 | 200 | Delhi Capitals | May 18, 2025 | Sai Sudharsan (108*) & Shubman Gill (93*) |
Fielding Records
Fielding plays a crucial role in T20 cricket. The fast outfield at Arun Jaitley Stadium demands athletic fielding from all teams.
Most Catches
These players have shown excellent catching skills at this venue, often turning games with crucial dismissals.
Rishabh Pant leads the catches tally at this ground. His safe hands behind the stumps and in the outfield have contributed to many Delhi victories. Other fielders have also made their mark with spectacular catches and sharp reflexes.
Delhi Capitals At Their Home Ground
Delhi Capitals have a mixed record at their home ground. The team has played in over 90 percent of IPL matches hosted at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.
The franchise has won 38 of 86 home games, for a win percentage of approximately 47%. This record shows that DC has struggled to establish the venue as their fortress, unlike some other teams at their home grounds.
The first IPL match at this ground took place in April 2008 between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals. In a low-scoring affair, the Virender Sehwag-led Delhi side won by nine wickets with 29 balls remaining. Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan scored half-centuries to chase down the target of 130 runs.
Match Statistics Summary
The numbers tell an interesting story about cricket at this venue. A total of 97 IPL matches have been played at the Arun Jaitley Stadium since 2008.
Teams batting first have won 47 matches, while teams chasing have won 49. One match ended without a result. The average first-innings score is around 170 runs, indicating a balanced surface.
Over 31,000 runs have been scored at this venue across all IPL matches. Batters have hit 2,793 fours and 1,266 sixes, showcasing the entertainment value. The average strike rate at this ground stands at 143.3, indicating aggressive batting.
In recent years, particularly since 2023, the pitch has become more batting-friendly. Teams batting first have won 10 of 15 matches, suggesting the dew factor might have reduced or that teams have adapted better to chasing.
Historic Moments At Arun Jaitley Stadium
The Arun Jaitley Stadium has witnessed several memorable moments in IPL history beyond just statistics and records.
In IPL 2024, Sunrisers Hyderabad scored the fourth-highest team total in IPL history at this venue.
Their 266 for 7 included the highest powerplay score ever recorded in the tournament at Delhi. This match showed how the pitch has transformed into a paradise for batters.
Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 15-ball fifty in April 2024 against SRH equaled the joint-fastest half-century in IPL history. His explosive batting gave Delhi fans hope even in a difficult chase. The Australian youngster showed why he was so highly rated.
The venue has also hosted matches during the 2011 Cricket World Cup and the 2023 ODI World Cup. In 2019, it hosted the 1,000th men’s T20 International, when India played Bangladesh. These moments add to the stadium’s rich history.
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Conclusion: A Venue For Exciting Cricket
The Arun Jaitley Stadium continues to produce entertaining cricket year after year. The transformed pitch creates high-scoring contests, while the passionate Delhi crowd adds to the atmosphere.
With its rich history dating back to 1883 and modern facilities, this venue remains special for cricket fans. The stadium has hosted record-breaking innings, sensational bowling spells, and dramatic finishes. Every IPL season brings new stories and memorable moments to this iconic ground.
As IPL 2026 approaches, fans look forward to more thrilling encounters at Arun Jaitley Stadium. The combination of skilled cricketers, an improved pitch, and enthusiastic supporters promises exciting action. Delhi Capitals will hope to improve their home record and finally establish this ground as their impregnable fortress.
