The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, also known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium, is a cricket stadium in Bengaluru city of the Indian state of Karnataka. The ground is owned by the Government of Karnataka and operated by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
Flanked by the picturesque Cubbon Park, Queen's Road, Cubbon and uptown MG Road, this five-decade-old stadium is situated in the heart of the city of Bangalore. It regularly hosts Test, ODI, T20I and first-class cricket matches, as well as musical, cultural events. The stadium is the home ground of the Karnataka men's, Karnataka women's as well as franchises RCB men's and RCB women's teams. It is owned by the Government of Karnataka and has been leased out to the KSCA for a period of 100 years.
Formerly known as the Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium, it was later rechristened in tribute to M. Chinnaswamy, a lawyer from Mandya and the founding member of the Mysore State Cricket Association. He served the KSCA for four decades and was also president of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) from 1977 to 1980, latter's National Cricket Academy also situated in the premises of this stadium.
It is the first cricket stadium in the world to use solar panels to generate a bulk of the electricity needed to run the stadium. The panels were procured through the "Go Green" initiative of the KSCA. In 2016 a water purification plant was added, and by January 2017 a sophisticated system of aeration and drainage was in place to avoid matches being curtailed due to a wet outfield.
History
With generous patronage from the Government of Karnataka, the foundation stone of this stadium was laid in 1969 and construction work commenced in 1970. The stadium was first used for First-class cricket matches during the 1972–73 season. It earned test status during the 1974–75 season when the West Indies toured India.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) stadium, as it was known was later renamed as a tribute to M. Chinnaswamy, who was the BCCI President from 1977 to 1980 and the Secretary and President of KSCA. Born in Mandya in 1900, he was the founding member of the Mysore State Cricket Association and a lawyer by profession. He, helped by other eminent people, was instrumental in prevailing upon the Government of Karnataka to allot the ground for cricket in the prime MG Road area in 1969.
The first Test played at this stadium was on 22–27 November 1974. This was the debut Test match for the West Indian batsmen Viv Richards and Gordon Greenidge. The West Indians led by Clive Lloyd crushed M. A. K. Pataudi's Indian team by 256 runs. India registered their first Test win on this ground against the touring English team led by Tony Greig in 1976–77. The first ODI match at this venue was played on 6 September 1982. India defeated Sri Lanka by six wickets in that match.
Floodlights were first installed at this stadium for the 1996 Wills World Cup. The first match played here under lights was the quarter-final clash between arch-rivals India and Pakistan on 9 March 1996 in which India defeated Pakistan by 39 runs. In 2007, in the 3rd Test Match between India and Pakistan, Sourav Ganguly and Yuvraj Singh led a 300 run partnership fightback from 61/4, breaking several records. India's 365/5 at stumps was the highest first-day score in India. The 300 run partnership was the highest partnership at the stadium and the highest left-hander batsmen partnership. Sourav Ganguly's 239 is the highest left-hander score.
Since the BCCI chose Bangalore as the centre for the National Cricket Academy in 2000, many budding cricketers have passed out of the academy housed on this ground. Chinnaswamy Stadium is also the home ground of the Bangalore franchise team, the Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was painted in red and yellow, the team colours of the Royal Challengers and also the colours of the Karnataka flag (cultural flag). This stadium also served as the venue for the 1996 Miss World pageant, when it was first held in India.
Following a crowd crush on 4 June 2025 which resulted in 11 fatalities, the stadium was deemed unfit to organise large gatherings and hence was withdrawn from list of IPL stadiums for 2026. In August 2025, ICC announced that the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai replaced Bengaluru for the ICC Women's World Cup 2025.
Features Karnataka State Cricket Association claims that their stadium is world's only solar powered cricket stadium. They inspired to install a solar system at the stadium from Germany's Freiburg football stadium, which is fully powered by solar energy. KSCA initiated the ₹4.5 Cr and 400 KW project in February 2015.
The venue has 40,000 seats. Its ground is small thus it has small boundaries, due to this, batting teams often score high totals here. It is evident by the fact that in the 2023 Indian Premier League edition, teams scored 210 plus runs on four and 170+ on three occasions in 8 innings played here. As per former Royal Challengers Bangalore's bowler Harshal Patel "It is hard to bowl at the Chinnaswamy. It is a small ground and the ball generally flies".
Cricket World Cups This stadium has hosted One Day International (ODI) matches for all editions of the World cups, when India was a host/co-host.
Quarter final match
11th Match, Group B
15th Match, Group B
22nd Match, Group B
31st Match, Group A
35th Match, Group A
18th Match
25th Match
35th Match
41st Match
48th Match
Domestic Cricket The arena is regular venue of domestic cricket. It is home ground of Karnataka cricket team. Since 2008, it is the home ground of IPL team Royal Challengers Bangalore. The first ever game of the IPL was held at the venue. In 1998-99 Ranji trophy final at the venue, Karnataka won against Madhya Pradesh (MP). In June 2022, 2021-22 edition final of the tournament MP won its maiden title by defeating Mumbai cricket team. 2022-23 Ranji semifinal held at the venue Saurashtra cricket team defeated Karnataka.
In the final of the 2019-20 Vijay Hazare trophy Karnataka defeated Tamil Nadu there. In October 2018, in the tournament's edition Mumbai won the final by defeating Delhi at the venue.
Events Miss World 1996 beauty pageant was held in this stadium, it was the first ever that this event was organised in India. Irene Skliva of Greece became the winner.
Sustainability initiatives The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has adopted several sustainability initiatives to minimise its environmental impact.
Solar energy utilisation The stadium is recognised for its utilisation of solar energy. A solar power plant was established, generating over six lakh units of electricity in the first year and reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 600 tonnes. The solar panels, initially installed on the east end, are being extended to the west end to increase electricity generation.
Water management A comprehensive water management system is in place, which includes rainwater harvesting and a sewage treatment plant. The treatment plant recycles sewage water for turf watering, gardening, and landscaping. This initiative was developed in collaboration with the Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB).
Subair drainage system The 'subair drainage system' installed at the stadium facilitates rapid water drainage, allowing the ground to dry within 10 to 15 minutes after heavy rains, thus minimising match interruptions due to wet conditions.
Other eco-friendly measures Additional measures to reduce environmental impact include a water purification plant and an efficient aeration and drainage system.
Masterplan KP Padmanabha and Associates designed the original masterplan, including the main stadium, which features facilities such as a matting pitch, clubhouse, indoor games, guest rooms, and a restaurant, with a total seating capacity of 55,000, comprising a three-level pavilion and members’ stand and two-level eastern and western stands.
Recognition and replication The sustainability initiatives at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium have been noted, with some cricket associations in India considering replicating these initiatives. These eco-friendly projects were self-funded by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA).
Records and statistics On 14 June 2018, after being granted 'Test Status' by the ICC in 2017, Afghanistan played their first ever test match at this venue against India. The only T20I match in which double super over was played is in this stadium between India and Afghanistan on 17 January 2024 where Rohit Sharma scored his 5th century in T20I. This match is considered as the longest T20I match in world.
Test match records Batting
+Most career runs Runs Player Period 869 (16 Innings) Sachin Tendulkar 1994–2012 600 (12 Innings) Sunil Gavaskar 1974–1987 513 (11 Innings) Virender Sehwag 2001–2012 503 (13 Innings) Sourav Ganguly 1998–2008 450 (8 Innings) Gundappa Viswanath 1974–1981
+Most career runs (Non-India) Runs Player Period 431 (4 Innings) Younis Khan 2005–2007 305 (5 Innings) Ricky Ponting 1998–2010 287 (6 Innings) Simon Katich 2004–2010 245 (4 Innings) Alvin Kallicharran 1974–1978 231 (4 Innings) Michael Hussey 2008–2010
+Highest individual score Runs Player Year 267 vs India Younis Khan 2005 239 vs Pakistan Sourav Ganguly 2007 214 vs Australia Sachin Tendulkar 2010 201 vs Pakistan Virender Sehwag 2005
Bowling
+Most career wickets Wickets Player Period 41 (16 Innings) Anil Kumble 1994–2008 30 (11 Innings) R Ashwin 2012–2024 30 (14 Innings) Harbhajan Singh 1998–2010 27 (15 Innings) Kapil Dev 1978–1994 21 (9 Innings) Ravindra Jadeja 2015–2024
+Most career wickets (Non-India) Wickets Player Period 11 (4 Innings) Danish Kaneria 2005–2007 10 (4 Innings) Michael Kasprowicz 1998–2004 10 (4 Innings) Tim Southee 2010–2024 9 (5 Innings) Iqbal Qasim 1979–1987 9 (4 Innings) Mohammad Sami 2005–2007 9 (2 Innings) Tauseef Ahmed 1987–1987 9 (4 Innings) Shane Warne 1998–2004
+Best innings figures Figures Player Year 8/50 vs India Nathan Lyon 2017 7/27 vs Pakistan Maninder Singh 1987 7/64 vs India Tim Southee 2012 6/41 vs Australia R Ashwin 2017 6/53 vs India Bob Willis 1977 6/59 vs New Zealand Narendra Hirwani 1988 6/71 vs England Bishan Singh Bedi 1977
+Best match figures Figures Player Year 11/224 vs England Harbhajan Singh 2004 10/126 vs Australia Maninder Singh 1987 9/120 vs Pakistan Anil Kumble 1995 9/121 vs India Iqbal Qasim 1987 9/131 vs New Zealand B. S. Chandrasekhar 1977 9/139 vs India Tauseef Ahmed 1987
Team records
+Highest innings score Score Team Year 626 vs Pakistan 2007 570 vs India 2005 541/6d vs Sri Lanka 1974 537 vs India 2007 495 vs Australia 2010
+Lowest completed innings Score Team Year 46 vs New Zealand 2024 103 vs India 2018 109 vs India 2018 109 vs India 2022 112 vs India 2017 145 vs Pakistan 1987
Partnership records
+Highest partnershipsRuns Wicket Players Match Year 324 3rd Younis Khan (267) & Inzamam-ul-Haq (187) vs India 2005 308 3rd Sachin Tendulkar (214) & Murali Vijay (139) vs Australia 2010 300 5th Sourav Ganguly (239) & Yuvraj Singh (169) vs Pakistan 2007 207 4th Gordon Greenidge (107) & Clive Lloyd (163) vs India 1974
All records correct .
One day international match records Highest total: 410-4 – IND v NED. The second was 401–6 – NZL v PAK 4 November 2023.
Highest Run Chase : 329–7 – Ireland scored 329 (in 49.1 overs) against England's 327 runs from 50 overs, 2 March 2011, during world cup match.
Highest individual score: 209 scored by Rohit Sharma
The most runs were scored by Sachin Tendulkar (534 runs) followed by Rohit Sharma (498 runs) and Virender Sehwag (328 runs).
The most wickets were taken by Zaheer Khan (14 wickets) followed by Javagal Srinath (10 wickets) and Venkatesh Prasad & Kapil Dev (8 wickets each)
IPL records source:
Highest total - 287 - SRH v RCB, 2024
6th Highest total - 263 - RCB v Pune Warriors, 2013
Highest individual score - CH Gayle, 175 (66 balls) for RCB v Pune Warriors, 2013