Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow, India, is a modern architectural marvel that draws inspiration from iconic venues like the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Its design, characterized by sweeping curved galleries, unbroken sightscreen views, and a lush circular playing arena, is a testament to the vision of architect Rajeev Tali. The stadium’s capacity of over 50,000, with provisions to expand to 60,000 for major fixtures, is spread across multiple seating categories, including lavish corporate suites named after cricketing legends.
Two other cricket stadiums in India that share a similar architectural grandeur are the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune.
Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad: Inspired by the iconic Colosseum in Rome, the Narendra Modi Stadium is a modern architectural marvel. With a seating capacity of over 132,000, it is the largest cricket stadium in the world. The stadium features a unique bowl-shaped design, offering unobstructed views from all angles. Its striking red and white façade, coupled with intricate architectural details, creates a visually stunning experience. The use of modern materials and construction techniques ensures both functionality and aesthetic appeal.
Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune: The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium in Pune is renowned for its unique architectural design, which blends traditional Indian elements with modern aesthetics. The stadium features a striking façade adorned with intricate carvings and patterns inspired by the Maratha architectural style. The use of locally sourced materials and traditional construction techniques adds to its cultural significance. The stadium’s seating capacity of around 37,000 is arranged in a bowl-shaped layout, providing excellent sightlines for spectators.
Ekana Cricket Stadium, with its architectural inspiration from the MCG and its integration of practice grounds, media infrastructure, and provisions for extreme weather conditions, has positioned itself as a world-class venue for hosting national and international cricket tournaments. As it continues to host elite competitions, the stadium’s legacy will undoubtedly grow, cementing its place among India’s most iconic and architecturally significant cricket venues.
Much like grand amphitheaters staged competitive spectacle to enthralled crowds, Ekana Stadium’s voice shall roar through a half-century of thousand spectators spurring the next generation of cricketing heroes.
Key Highlights
- Renamed Ekana Stadium after former Indian Prime Minister
- Architect Rajeev Tali crafted structures inspired by MCG
- 50,000+ capacity across multiple seating categories
- Lavish corporate suites named after cricketing legends
- Provisions to enhance capacity above 60,000 for key fixtures
- Pitch cover and drainage provisions installed
- Yearly extreme tropical weather affects scheduling
- Within Lucknow city limits offering connectivity
- Practice grounds and media infrastructure integrated
- Designed for national and international cricket
As Ekana Cricket Stadium continues hosting elite tournaments, its fairways promise to accumulate lore and legend mirroring the arena’s ambitions as Lucknow fast becomes heartland cricket’s pulsating theater of dreams.
Introduction
A. Overview of Ekana Cricket Stadium
The Ekana Cricket Stadium (formerly Green Park Stadium) is an international cricket venue located in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Completed in 2017, its design echoes Melbourne Cricket Ground with distinct terraced seating. With 50,000+ capacity, advanced facilities, picturesque setting and floodlighting to enable day-night matches, Ekana Stadium aims to become a global destination for cricket.
B. Importance of understanding its general information, named features, and renaming
Familiarizing with Ekana’s history, layout specifics like the Sachin Tendulkar and Suresh Raina stands named after Indian icons, and 2017 renaming background provides helpful color for visitors. Core facts aid navigating and experiencing the stadium better.
C. Preview of key topics covered
This article explores essentials of Ekana stadium around LOCATION, ACCESS, dimensions and weather patterns, SEATING distribution plus special ENCLOSURES, Fan Zone features, and landmark cricket RECORDS held. It provides a blueprint covering navigational aspects and facts bringing its noteworthy features to life.
Let me know if you would like me to modify or add anything to this introductory overview!
General Information
A. Brief history and background
Constructed at a cost of ₹225 crores on a design similar to the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Ekana Stadium was built as a world-class cricket venue in Lucknow to promote the sport’s growth in Uttar Pradesh.
B. Seating capacity details
With a total capacity exceeding 50,000 spectators, the seating layout includes private suites and designated enclosures for Goalkeepers, Straight Hitters, Sixers and Straight Drivers categories.
C. Overview of events held
Since opening, the stadium has hosted domestic T20s, women’s cricket matches and state level tournaments. Top international games slated in future.
D. Impact of weather conditions
As a open-air stadium with no roof, Ekana’s tropical Awadh region climate means extreme heat, occasional thunderstorms during the monsoon or dense fog in the winter directly affect play and scheduling.
E. Importance of capturing the stadium visually
Photographing the vivid hues of its semi-circular colosseum style stands, floodlit arches and lush outfield allows visitors to share this 21st century sporting arena’s architectural grandeur with others.
Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium
Introduction to the new name
The cricket venue was renamed as “Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana International Cricket Stadium” in 2019 to honor the late former Prime Minister who was instrumental in Uttar Pradesh’s development.
Significance of renaming the stadium after Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Atal Bihari Vajpayee was India’s Prime Minister in 1996, 1998-1999 and from 1999-2004. The prominent leader also worked extensively for the state of Uttar Pradesh’s progress during his five decades in public office.
Naming Lucknow’s marquee cricket stadium after the widely respected late statesman pays tribute to Vajpayee’s UP links, cricket passion and national stature while immortalizing his legacy and vision. It was a unanimous call to recognize the renowned figure who won countrywide love transcending political lines.
Architectural and Construction Details
Introduction to the Architect
Renowned Indian sports infrastructure architect Rajeev Tali, founder of Dimension Architects, was appointed to lead the architectural design and construction planning of the Ekana International Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. With acclaimed cricket venues like the Gahunje Cricket Stadium in Pune and DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai already to his credit, Tali brought extensive pedigree spanning decades in envisioning and executing global-grade cricket arenas.
Construction Insights
Built on a total land area exceeding 22 acres, the Ekana stadium construction was completed in just 24 months at an estimated overall project cost of ₹225 crores. Structural design incorporating precast elements and efficient planning allowed quick assembly on an accelerated timeline meeting quality benchmarks.
Over 15,000 workers were engaged during peak activity periods of its construction phase between 2015-2017. High-grade materials including international quality turf, sturdy concrete and durable metal superstructure were utilized by multiple contractors coordinated by lead architect Tali.
C. AutoCAD Floor Plan
Plan Overview
The stadium AutoCAD drawing gives a bird’s eye schematic view of the entire venue layout demarcating key zones. It distinctly maps the semi-circular double decker seating arena, adjoining practice grounds, parking lots and entry-exit points.
Service lanes for broadcast vans, pathways and vehicular access separating public and operational areas provide insights into consciously designed spectator flow. The floor plan bears testament to the architects’ precise attention in marking emergency staircases, wheelchair seating provisions, food stalls mapped to stands and restroom facilities spread out across the stadium premises.
Design Aspects
Strategic design hallmarks evident from the architectural plan include cantilevered roofs covering 85% spectator seating areas, use of inclined structural technology for unblocked sightlines to the pitch and players’ pavilion from all grandstands, and planned avenues enabling smooth crowd movement as per seating zone segregations even for full capacity. The clever layout explores utilizing the stadium design and additional facilities to foster an integrated sports district at Shaheed Path area in future.
Location and Transportation
A. Address details
Ekana International Cricket Stadium, Shaheed Path, Lucknow – 226012
B. Distance between Lucknow Charbagh and Ekana Stadium
15 kms by road. Major internal routes include Shaheed Path, Rana Pratap Marg, Ashok Marg and Sarojini Naidu Marg. 25-35 mins travel time by private or public transport.
C. Proximity to BBD University
The Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University is located just 1.8 kms from Ekana stadium, enabling a quick 5 minutes drive via inner community routes.
D. Transportation Overview
Local buses, compact sedans, auto rickshaws and cabs like Ola and Uber conveniently ply the key arterial roads connecting Lucknow districts to Ekana. Shuttle services also operate on match days from downtown. Designated parking lots proximate to entry gates available. Traffic and access are coordinated by local police as per event audience scale.
Ekana Cricket Stadium Photos
A. Visual documentation of architecture
Photographs capturing the vivid sunset hues reflecting off Ekana’s curvy exteriors, the sweeping views of the ground from cantilevered upper tiers and the expansive arena illuminated under floodlights preserve the design aesthetics.
B. Highlights from events
Event galleries showcase fan fervour on stadium debut, grinning champions of title victories, sublime athleticism in sprawling outfield catches, the stands singing in harmony and prominent dignitaries gracing various matches.
C. Significance of visual representation
Stadium imagery allows architecture and emotion to interplay uniquely with sport, inspiring creativity and memories. Photos prompt nostalgia among those who lived the experience while allowing others an insider’s view into Ekana’s composition. As they say, pictures speak louder than words can describe this cricket-dedicated venue blossoming as Uttar Pradesh’s beloved colosseum.
Ekana Cricket Stadium Events
Since its opening in 2017, Ekana has quickly become an eminent cricket host venue in Uttar Pradesh:
- Hosted debut international match in 2018: T20 Women’s Tri-Series
- Top domestic tournaments like Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy
- Multiple IPL exhibition games and state cricket associations meetings
- Venue for Khelo India youth championships opening ceremony
B. Impact on reputation and popularity
By drawing sizeable crowds for marquee domestic cricket tournaments shown live on television, Ekana’s striking new-age design and enthusiastic home fans have shone. Its growing match staging credibility has won praise from players.
Associations with high-profile events like hosting IPL teams like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals etc, the very top names of women’s cricket and India’s revered veterans for inspirational youth has amplified Ekana’s stature. Lucknowites admire it as the state’s best-in-class facility to nurture local talent and attract global attention.
Ekana Cricket Stadium Capacity
A. Detailed breakdown of the seating capacity
The Ekana Cricket Stadium has a total seating capacity exceeding 50,000 spectators. The distribution is across multiple stands:
- Sachin Tendulkar Stand – 15,000 seats
- Suresh Raina Stand – 15,000 seats
- Other General Stand Seats – 12,000
- Air-Conditioned Corporate Boxes – 225
- Air-Conditioned Enclosure Suites – More than 5,000
- Separate provisions for media and broadcasting crews
B. Consideration of seating arrangements during various events
During non-marquee domestic tournaments or women’s cricket matches, sections of general stands may be closed if demand is low.
For high-interest events like potential IPL matches, zonal and knockout fixtures, additional temporary stands can be constructed to increase capacity beyond 50,000. Access to corporate suites may also be expanded by adding temporary lounges.
Ekana Cricket Stadium Weather
A. Impact of weather conditions on stadium operations
As an open roof sporting arena, Ekana’s tropical location means extreme heat, thunderstorms and dense fog affect scheduling and playability directly.
Peak summer heat causes physical strain. Monsoon rains trigger cancellation risks mid-games. Fog impacts visibility. These challenge planning quality practices, matches and maintaining the lush outfield.
B. Precautions and measures
Pitch covers, improved drainage, high-quality turf management and prognostics tracking help counter weather uncertainties at Ekana Stadium.
Delays due to lightning risks or fog dissipation are factored by officials. Provisions exist for players to overcome conditions through adequate hydration, medical supervision for heat exertions and humidifiers.
Public alerts pre-inform fans ahead of ticket purchases during adverse weather forecasts. Continual improvements throughout the calendar minimize weather-induced hindrances optimizing operations.
Records and Achievements
A. Notable Records at Eden Gardens
Highest Scores
- Highest Individual Test Score – 249 by Harbhajan Singh vs New Zealand, 2010
- Highest Team Test Score – 705/7d by India vs Pakistan, 2007
- Highest Individual ODI Score – 183 by Rohit Sharma vs Sri Lanka, 2014
- Highest Team ODI Score – 418/5 by India vs West Indies, 2011
IPL Records
- Top Individual Score – 175* by Chris Gayle for RCB vs Pune Warriors India, 2013
- Top Team Score – 245/6 by KKR vs Kings XI Punjab, 2018
Other significant achievements
- Sunil Gavaskar scored his 10,000th Test run here in 1986
- Sourav Ganguly & Rahul Dravid had a 318 run record 3rd wicket partnership in 1996
Some epic come-from-behind victories were also crafted at Eden Gardens like the 2001 Kolkata Test between India and Australia.
Final Thoughts
Blending structural symmetry with the dynamism of sporting spectacle, Ekana Stadium serves as Uttar Pradesh’s window unto the cricketing world. Its architecture attempts realizing a grand sporting vision befitting the passions of India’s largest state. Design choices echo Roman amphitheaters in their pomp while promising amenities match international cricket’s gold standard.
Yet stadiums are but vacantshells devoid of character until fans fill up their seats. Ekana shall draw strength from the voices of Lucknow crowds that swellwith cricketing fever. Their beloved stars inspired this colosseum’s construct. In return, this hallowed arena shall now propel the next generation of local talenttoward new heights.
Beyond the glitz of corporate boxes and prim grassy plots lies a simple promise. For cricket to prosper where its heart beats the loudest. Should Ekana hold faith to this creed, then more gladiators shall graduate from UP’s hinterlands, more triumphs will bear its name. And more dreams shall emerge fulfilled under its very own constellation of floodlights.
