Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium

Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium
City: Pune
Country: India
Capacity: 37406

History

Fixtures

The Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, nestled on the outskirts of Pune, India, has steadily become a notable venue in the cricketing world since it opened its doors in 2012. Born out of necessity due to the overcrowding of other cricket venues in the area, the stadium offers a relatively modern cricketing hub. It seems almost newfangled when compared to India's older, storied grounds, yet it has earned its stripes quickly.

With an official seating capacity of approximately 37,000, the stadium is built to host a solid number of fans, offering a good mix of intimate cricket viewing while accommodating a decent crowd. There have been no major face-lifts over the years, but it doesn't seem to need any yet, given its contemporary build.

Home to the Maharashtra state team and regularly hosting Indian Premier League matches for the Chennai Super Kings in the past, the stadium also served as a temporary base for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant. Pune's brief tryst with the IPL brought a specific vibrancy to the ground, which still gets a good crowd for domestic matches.

Speaking of matches, the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium has hosted some significant fixtures, with India's emphatic Test win against Australia in 2017 being a standout, courtesy of Steve O’Keefe's memorable six-for that skittled India. The 2023 ICC World Cup also saw a thrilling encounter between South Africa and Sri Lanka, demonstrating the ground's capability to host matches of global importance.

The pitch at Pune can be a mixed bag. Generally, it's known for supporting seamers early on, particularly in Tests, but it tends to become more batsman-friendly as the match progresses. The ground has also seen its fair share of high-scoring limited-overs games under the lights, especially with those Indian top-orders having a field day.

The design of the stadium is a tad utilitarian, but the Sahyadri hills in the backdrop give it a natural charm. The setting sun often casts a lovely hue across the ground, which somehow makes up for the lack of architectural flamboyance.

Located about 25 km from Pune city centre, accessibility isn’t too shabby, with decent road connectivity and a taxi service or two available for fans. Pune's Lohegaon airport is not too far away, which is handy for out-of-towners, though it does mean battling a bit of traffic.

A visit to this stadium means you won’t find excessive pomp or grandeur. It's mostly straightforward, with a friendly crowd that appreciates a good game, which often makes all the difference. It might not be steeped in history yet, but who knows what tales this venue might tell in the future.