The Greenfield International Stadium pitch report reveals a dynamic and versatile playing surface that captivates cricket fans and strategists alike. Located in Thiruvananthapuram Kerala this state-of-the-art venue, also known as The Sports Hub, is renowned for its world-class facilities scenic surroundings, and a pitch that challenges both batsmen and bowlers.
Whether you’re a cricket enthusiast planning to attend a match or an analyst diving into pitch conditions, this guide offers a comprehensive look at the stadium’s pitch behavior, historical records, upcoming matches, and visitor tips tailored for an unforgettable experience.
This article covers everything you need to know about the Greenfield International Stadium including its unique pitch dynamics, memorable matches and practical advice for visitors. You’ll find insights into how the pitch behaves across T20Is and ODIs, detailed performance statistics and tips for navigating the stadium and its surroundings.
Key Highlights of This Guide:
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Pitch Dynamics: Explore how the Greenfield International Stadium pitch favors bowlers early and batsmen later due to dew.
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Historical Records: Relive iconic matches, including India’s 317-run ODI victory and West Indies’ 173/2 T20I chase.
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Visitor Tips: Learn about ticketing, parking, and the best gates for entry to enhance your match-day experience.
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Local Attractions: Discover nearby hotels, malls, and cultural landmarks to make your visit to Thiruvananthapuram unforgettable.
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Upcoming Matches: Stay updated on 2025 fixtures, including the Kerala Cricket League and potential international games.
Greenfield International Stadium Pitch Report: Your Ultimate Guide to Thiruvananthapuram’s Premier Cricket Venue
The Greenfield International Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a modern marvel, blending cutting-edge infrastructure with eco-friendly design. With a seating capacity of 50,000, it hosts international cricket matches, domestic leagues like the Kerala Cricket League and cultural events making it a multi-purpose venue.
Built on a DBOT (Design, Build, Operate Transfer) model, it’s India’s first stadium of its kind, featuring sustainable elements like solar panels and rainwater harvesting. Its strategic location opposite the University of Kerala ensures easy access and proximity to key city landmarks.
The stadium’s scenic backdrop, nestled amidst Kerala’s lush greenery, adds to its appeal for fans and tourists. Beyond cricket, it has hosted significant events like the 2015 SAFF Championship where India clinched the football title.
Whether you’re attending a high-stakes T20I or a cultural festival, the stadium’s modern amenities including VIP boxes and food courts, ensure a comfortable experience.
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Seating Capacity: Accommodates 50,000 spectators with comfortable, strategically placed seating for optimal views.
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Eco-Friendly Design: Incorporates solar panels, LED lighting, and a rainwater harvesting system, making it India’s first fully eco-friendly stadium.
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Multi-Purpose Use: Hosts cricket, football, and cultural events, with dedicated zones for each sport.
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Modern Amenities: Features VIP boxes, food courts, and accessibility options for differently-abled visitors.
Greenfield International Stadium Pitch Report: Characteristics and Conditions
The Greenfield International Stadium pitch report highlights a surface known for its dynamic nature, offering varied conditions based on match format and time of day. Early in matches, the pitch is bowler-friendly, with moisture and slight cracks assisting both pacers and spinners.
As games progress, particularly in evening matches, dew sets in, reducing grip for bowlers and making the surface more favorable for batsmen. This dual nature demands strategic adaptability from teams, making it a fascinating venue for cricket analysts.
From its bowler-friendly early conditions to batting-friendly evenings influenced by dew the Greenfield International Stadium promises thrilling contests.
Whether you’re looking to book tickets explore nearby attractions, or understand the venue’s strategic importance this guide is your go-to resource for all things Greenfield.
In T20Is, the pitch often leads to low to moderate scores, with an average first innings total of 114 runs. In contrast, ODIs have seen higher scores, with an average first innings total of 249 runs, as demonstrated by India’s 390/5 against Sri Lanka in 2023.
Spinners tend to dominate during daytime matches while pacers benefit from humid conditions early on. The pitch’s versatility ensures thrilling contests with captains often opting to bowl first to exploit early conditions.
General Pitch Behavior
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First Innings Challenges: Early moisture and cracks make the pitch bowler-friendly, challenging batsmen to play cautiously.
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Later Innings Advantage: Dew in evening matches eases shot-making, favoring batsmen, especially in chases.
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Daytime Matches: Spinners find grip as the pitch dries out, making it ideal for spin bowling.
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Humid Conditions: Pacers can extract movement, particularly in overcast or humid weather.
Performance Statistics
|
Format |
Average Score |
Highest Score |
Lowest Score |
|---|---|---|---|
|
ODI |
249 |
390/5 (India vs. Sri Lanka, 2023) |
73 (Sri Lanka vs. India, 2023) |
|
T20I |
114 |
173/2 (West Indies vs. India, 2019) |
61/6 (New Zealand vs. India, 2017) |
These stats underscore the pitch’s balanced yet challenging nature, where strategic decisions like bowling first or selecting spin-heavy lineups can be game-changers.
Historical Records and Memorable Matches
The Greenfield International Stadium has hosted iconic matches that highlight its reputation as a challenging yet rewarding venue.
In T20Is, the West Indies set the highest team score of 173/2 in 2019, chasing down India’s total with ease thanks to Lendl Simmons’ unbeaten 67. Conversely New Zealand’s 61/6 in a rain-affected 2017 T20I remains the lowest score recorded here.
In ODIs, India’s 390/5 against Sri Lanka in 2023, powered by Virat Kohli’s 166*, stands as the highest total, while Sri Lanka’s 73 all out in the same match marks the lowest.
Notable individual performances include Arshdeep Singh’s 3/32 in a T20I against South Africa in 2022 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 4/34 in an ODI against West Indies in 2021.
The stadium’s history favors chasing teams with 9 out of 14 T20 matches won by the side batting second, making toss decisions critical. Memorable moments like India’s 317-run ODI victory over Sri Lanka in 2023, cement the venue’s status as a stage for cricketing brilliance.
Iconic Matches
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T20I Thriller (2019): West Indies chased 173 against India, showcasing aggressive batting under lights.
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ODI Dominance (2023): India’s 390/5 led to a 317-run victory over Sri Lanka, one of the largest margins in ODI history.
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Low-Scoring T20I (2022): India restricted South Africa to 106/8, with Suryakumar Yadav’s 33-ball 50 sealing an eight-wicket win.
Playing Conditions Across These Stadiums: What’s Your Edge?
Whether you’re strategizing for a match mapping fantasy cricket picks or just curious about how each pitch adjusts over time here’s how these five venues behave:
Eden Gardens Kolkata: From Seam to Spin
Early on Eden Gardens offers some pace for seamers before slowly transitioning into a surface that favors spinners as the game progresses. The fast outfield makes high scores possible, and historically teams chasing have had a slight advantage.
Barkatullah Khan Stadium Jodhpur: Balanced with a Twist
This ground typically starts out flat, giving batters and bowlers a fair chance. T20 first-innings scores usually range between 160–180, and evening dew often helps the chasing side.
Barabati Stadium Cuttack: Spin Wins by Day 5
Barabati Stadium supports batters well early on T20s can hit the 160–180 range and ODIs often stretch to 250–280. But in longer formats, it slows down significantly by Days 4 and 5, giving a clear advantage to spin bowlers.
Holkar Cricket Stadium Indore: Batters’ Playground
Holkar Stadium is all about massive totals. T20 first-innings averages hit around 200 and ODIs can soar into the 330 range. It’s a flat deck with small boundaries making it a dream for power hitters. Chasing works well if the total’s set high early.
Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium Mullanpur Punjab: Balanced but With Batting Tilt
This ground offers a fairly even contest for both bat and ball, with more assistance to fast bowlers early on and batters gearing up once the dew arrives. First-innings scores typically center around 170, and teams winning the toss often choose to field first.
| Stadium (City) | Early Conditions | Later Match Behavior | Toss / Strategy Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eden Gardens (Kolkata) | Some seam movement, batting-friendly | Slows, spin dominates later | Chasing usually favored due to slow mid-game |
| Barkatullah Khan (Jodhpur) | Balanced output for both sides | Dry + dew helps chasers | T20 chasing often pays off |
| Barabati (Cuttack) | Balanced; good for both styles | Slows in longer formats | Set high total; spinners thrive late |
| Holkar (Indore) | Flat and fast for batters | Remains high-scoring | Big totals; chasing works if total’s big enough |
| Mullanpur (Punjab) | Balanced, slight early tilt to pace | Batters get boost with dew | Bowl first early; dew favors chasing later |
Upcoming Matches and Schedule for 2026
The upcoming match scheduled at Greenfield International Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram for 2026 is:
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January 31, 2026: 5th T20I of the New Zealand tour of India, a 5-match T20I series. The match starts at 7:00 PM local time.
As of now, this is the confirmed and notable upcoming match at this venue in 2026. The stadium is an important venue for international matches in India and will host this crucial T20I in January during the New Zealand tour of India series.
2026 Match Schedule (Tentative)
Here is a tentative 2026 international cricket match schedule overview, with a focus on the major upcoming event:
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 (Tentative)
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Scheduled from February to March 2026
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Hosted jointly by India and Sri Lanka across multiple venues
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20 teams participating in round-robin groups, Super 8 stage, followed by knockout semi-finals and final
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Total of about 55 matches including group and knockout stages
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Venues in India include Narendra Modi Stadium (Ahmedabad), Eden Gardens (Kolkata), Wankhede Stadium (Mumbai), among others
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Venues in Sri Lanka include R. Premadasa Stadium (Colombo), Galle International Stadium, etc.
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Matches involving Pakistan will be hosted in Sri Lanka due to a venue agreement between BCCI and PCB
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The final likely to be in Eden Gardens or Colombo depending on teams qualifying
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Teams qualified include hosts India and Sri Lanka, top teams from the 2024 edition, and regional qualifiers including Italy debuting
Other Key Series Scheduled in 2026
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New Zealand tour of India with a T20 match at Greenfield International Stadium on Jan 31, 2026
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Various international tours throughout the calendar year covering Tests, ODIs, and T20s in multiple countries
The detailed 2026 schedule is tentative and subject to ICC confirmation. The T20 World Cup will dominate early 2026 cricket while bilateral series continue over the rest of the year.
Tips for Visitors
Attending a match at Greenfield International Stadium is an unforgettable experience, but preparation is key. Book tickets early through platforms like BookMyShow or the Kerala Cricket Association’s website, especially for high-profile matches to avoid last-minute hassles.
Arrive at least an hour early for evening matches to navigate crowds and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere. The stadium offers ample restrooms food courts and accessibility features for differently-abled visitors ensuring a comfortable experience.
Practical Tips
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Parking: Available on-site with a fee of ₹100–₹200 depending on the match. Arrive early to secure a spot.
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Best Entry Gates: Use Gate 3 or 4 for quicker access, especially for North Zone seating.
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Prohibited Items: Avoid bringing water bottles, cameras, or large bags to speed up security checks.
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Local Hack: Grab budget-friendly street food like dosas or fish fry from stalls near Kariavattom Junction, just 0.5 km away.
Nearby Facilities and Attractions
Exploring Thiruvananthapuram around your match-day visit adds to the experience. The stadium’s prime location offers easy access to hotels malls transport hubs and cultural landmarks making it ideal for fans and tourists alike.
Nearby Hotels
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Hycinth Hotels (4-star, 0.8 km from stadium): Offers free Wi-Fi, a rooftop pool, and breakfast. Price range: ₹4,000–₹6,000 per night.
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Hilton Garden Inn (4-star, 1.2 km from stadium): Features modern rooms, a fitness center, and on-site dining. Price range: ₹5,000–₹8,000 per night.
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Uday Suites (3-star, 2.5 km from stadium): Budget-friendly with cozy rooms and airport shuttle services. Price range: ₹2,500–₹4,000 per night.
Nearby Malls
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Lulu Mall (3.5 km, 10-minute drive): Kerala’s largest mall with over 200 shops, a food court, and a multiplex cinema. Notable stores include Zara H&M, and a hypermarket.
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Mall of Travancore (4 km, 12-minute drive): Offers premium shopping, dining options like KFC, and entertainment like arcade games.
Nearest Transport Hubs
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Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station (14.4 km, 30-minute drive): Accessible via taxi (₹300–₹400) or local buses. Major trains like the Rajdhani Express connect here.
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Kazhakoottam Bus Stop (1.5 km, 5-minute walk): Frequent buses to the city center and auto-rickshaws (₹50–₹100) to the stadium.
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Metro Access: No metro is currently available, but the proposed Thiruvananthapuram Metro may include a stop near Kazhakoottam by 2027.
Nearby Tourist Attractions
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Napier Museum (5 km, 15-minute drive): A historic museum showcasing Kerala’s art and culture, perfect for a pre-match visit.
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Kovalam Beach (10 km, 25-minute drive): A scenic beach ideal for relaxing post-match, known for its lighthouse and water sports.
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Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (6 km, 18-minute drive): A revered temple with stunning Dravidian architecture, a must-visit for cultural enthusiasts.
FAQs
1. What is the parking availability and cost at Greenfield International Stadium?
Parking is available on-site with spaces for cars and two-wheelers. Costs range from ₹100 for bikes to ₹200 for cars, depending on the match. Arrive early to secure a spot, as spaces fill up quickly during high-profile games.
2. How can I purchase tickets for matches at Greenfield International Stadium?
Tickets can be bought online via platforms like BookMyShow or the Kerala Cricket Association’s website. Prices range from ₹500 for general stands to ₹5,000 for premium seats, depending on the match. Book early for international games to avoid sell-outs.
3. Which are the best seating zones for viewing matches?
The North Zone offers excellent views of the pitch and is closest to the main action. Premium stands like the Pavilion provide added comfort and amenities. Book seats in higher tiers for a broader view of the game.
4. Are there good restaurants near the stadium?
Yes, nearby Kariavattom Junction (0.5 km) offers budget-friendly eateries serving Kerala-style fish fry and dosas. For a sit-down meal, try Hycinth Hotels’ restaurant (0.8 km) or Lulu Mall’s food court (3.5 km) for diverse options.
5. How do I reach the stadium by public transport?
Take a bus to Kazhakoottam Bus Stop (1.5 km) and walk or hire an auto-rickshaw (₹50–₹100). From Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station (14.4 km), taxis or buses take about 30 minutes. Check local bus schedules for match-day frequency.
Conclusion
Greenfield international stadium pitch report in Thiruvananthapuram is a cricketing gem, offering a dynamic pitch, world-class facilities and a vibrant atmosphere for fans. From its bowler-friendly early conditions to thrilling batting chases under lights the venue delivers unforgettable matches as seen in India’s 390/5 ODI triumph and West Indies’ T20I chase of 173. Whether you’re a local fan or a tourist this guide equips you with pitch insights visitor tips and local recommendations to make your visit seamless.