IPL 2023: Here are 12 venues which will host matches in upcoming mega tournament

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will kick off on March 31, 2023, to entertain its supporters with the grand sixteenth edition. After three years, the league will be played in its original home and away format. During the tumultuous period of COVID-19, bulk of the tournament had to be played in the UAE and even those matches which were played in India were confined to a few selected places of the country and were mostly played behind closed doors. 

2022 was the first time since the outbreak that the tournament in its entirety was played in India, with Maharashtra hosting the group matches, and Kolkata and Ahmedabad staging the knockout games. Following the success of the 2022 IPL season, the then-Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly announced in September 2022 that the 2023 season will be played in the typical home-and-away format. The news brought joy to the faces of fans who were waiting to witness the competitive games at their local stadia. 

With the marquee tournament being just days away, preparations and arrangements are underway at the 12 venues which have been shortlisted to host matches in the upcoming IPL. In this article, we will talk about the 12 venues where matches in the upcoming IPL will be played and discuss their track record and numbers as well.

Here are the 12 venues where the upcoming IPL 2023 will be conducted:

1. Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Narendra Modi Stadium. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Hosting the Qualifier 2 and the Final, Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium attracted huge crowd in the 2022 IPL edition. In the Qualifier game, Rajasthan Royals (RR) broke Royal Challengers Bangalore’s (RCB) dream of winning the trophy, beating them comfortably by seven wickets. 

However, in the decider match, Gujarat Titans (GT) took the home advantage and vanquished RR with seven wickets to lift the prestigious trophy. This year, the Hardik Pandya-led side will look to enjoy the perks of home conditions to defend their title as the city will host seven league games and the summit clash.

The iconic stadium has the ability to host upto 1,10,000 spectators and GT supporters will look to register their presence to boost the confidence of their team. The first game of the competition between GT and MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will also be played at the colossal stadium on March 31.

2. M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) will look to win this year’s tournament and quench their thirst for the IPL trophy after fifteen years. They are the only team to have qualified for the knockout stage in each of the last three editions of the league. With the return of the home and away format, the team’s batters will be excited about playing the tournament on their home turf, as the short boundaries of the M Chinnaswamy Stadium will be conducive for them to pile up runs easily.

In 2013, RCB amassed the record-highest score of the tournament at this stadium, scoring 263/5 against the defunct Pune Warriors. After three years, in 2016, the team scored the second-highest total in the league. With the help of a record 229-run partnership between the-then RCB skipper Virat Kohli and star batter Ab de Villiers, the team notched up 248/3 against Gujarat Lions (GL). Later, the hosts also contained the opponents on 104 and got their biggest win in the history of the tournament by runs. 

So far, the three-time IPL runners-up have played 77 games at this venue, of which they have pulled off success in 37 and lost 36. In the upcoming competition, they will look to make their record better.

3. M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Four-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) hold an incredible record at the MA Chidambaram Stadium. In 56 contests played here, the team has won 40 and lost 16. Back in 2011, CSK beat RCB in the final game by 58 runs and became the first team to win the trophy for two consecutive times in the league.

In 2010, CSK gathered 246/5 against RR with the help of Murali Vijay’s 127 runs off 56 deliveries and registered their highest score of the league. The swashbuckling innings of Vijay made him the third Indian to notch up a ton in the league, after Manish Pandey and Yusuf Pathan. 

Going through these numbers and records, it could be said that CSK have turned their home ground into a fortress, and breaching it won’t be easy for teams in this IPL season. One of the oldest stadiums has a history of having surfaces that assist spinners and considering this fact, CSK will bank on Ravindra Jadeja’s skills to do well in home games.

4. Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi 

Arun Jaitley Stadium, Delhi. (Photo Source: Twitter/BCCI)

After two years, IPL supporters in Delhi will get a chance to watch the league matches in their city. On April 4, Delhi Capitals (DC) will play the second game of the 2023 IPL edition against defending champions Gujarat Titans at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. In 2021, the stadium hosted the last IPL game between Rajasthan Royals (RR) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH).

Although the backyard of Delhi Capitals, the record of the franchise is not impressive in this stadium. Till now, DC have played 70 games in this venue, of which they have emerged victorious in only 31 games. On the other hand, 38 times they have faced disappointment, losing to their opponents.

This year, under David Warner’s captaincy, the franchise will look to improve its record at home. Back in 2010, Warner hit a century against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium and became the fifth Aussie batter to notch up a ton in the league. With his fine batting effort, DC (then Delhi daredevils) had won the game by 40 runs.

5. Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (HPCA) Stadium, Dharamshala

Dharamshala. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Dharamshala, which is considered one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in India, will be the second home ground of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the cash-rich IPL. The 2014 IPL runners-up have won five and lost four in their nine appearances at this ground. In 2011, the team achieved its biggest victory in terms of runs in the league in Dharamshala itself.

Against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), Adam Gilchrist-led Punjab racked up 232/2 on the board and pulled off a victory by 111 runs. In the game, Gilchrist led from the front as he delivered a magnificent century to put Punjab in command. 

It also played host to the 2010 thriller contest between PBKS and CSK, which the latter won by six wickets. With the incredible batting show from MS Dhoni (54 runs off 29 deliveries), CSK chased down 193 with two deliveries remaining. This year, Dharamshala is hosting a couple of games and the locals will expect their home side PBKS to deliver mind-boggling performances.

6. Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium, Guwahati

ACA Stadium, Guwahati. (Photo Source: Twitter/ACA)

For the first time, IPL matches will be played in Guwahati as Rajasthan Royals (RR) have added the city as their second home venue. On April 5, the stadium will host its maiden IPL game where RR will lock horns with PBKS. Rajasthan will soon play their second match in Guwahati on April 8 against Delhi Capitals. In the 2022 IPL edition, Jos Buttler became the IPL Orange Cap winner, scoring 863 runs in 17 games, with four tons and four half-centuries. He will look to carry his form to Guwahati’s batting-friendly as well, which is expected to perfectly cater to the needs of the explosive batter.

As out of the initial three matches of RR, two will be played in Guwahati, Buttler will look to start well as Guwahati tracks are known for supporting batters. In 2022, the stadium hosted its last T20 International game between India and South Africa, with the former bagging the game by only 16 runs after scoring 237/3.

Considering these numbers, RR batters must be enticed to play two of their opening contests in the upcoming tournament in Guwahati and would look to start their campaign on a positive note.

7. Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad

Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

After four years, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) supporters will get a chance to enjoy IPL matches at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium. Their team’s record is phenomenal here as the franchise has won 29 games in 44 appearances. Talking about their tally of loss, the franchise has faced defeat in their backyard in 14 games.

In 2019, the 2016 title winners racked up their highest score of the IPL against RCB.  Against the three-time runners-up, SRH accumulated 231/2 on the board with incredible tons from Jonny Bairstow and captain David Warner. The match went in favour of the home team as they thumped the opponents by a massive margin of 113 runs.  

This year, they will look forward to gaining their form after facing back-to-back failures in 2021 and 2022. With the return of the home-and-away format, the franchise might see it as a boon as cheers from their local crowd may also boost their confidence to excel in the tournament.

8. Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur 

Stadium. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Sawai Mansingh Stadium, the home ground of Rajasthan Royals (RR) will host five IPL games this year. These matches will be important for RR as their record is amazing on this ground. Till now, RR have played 47 games in this stadium, of which they’ve got success in 32 while losing only 15.

In their fabulous 2008-title triumph, RR won all seven games they played in this stadium. The franchise played its last match in its backyard on April 19, 2019. Against SRH, RR got an incredible victory by seven wickets, thanks to the heroics of Sanju Samson and Jaydev Unadkat. However, in the same edition, the team won only three out of seven matches played here.

This year, RR’s overall record on the ground will boost their confidence to give their best in the competition. In the last edition of the tournament, Sanju Samson and his boys qualified for the IPL final after 14 years. This time, they will look to continue thier previous season’s form to get their hands on the IPL trophy for the second time.  

9. Eden Gardens, Kolkata

110,000 Indian cricket fans crammed into Eden Gardens, Calcutta. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

Eden Gardens is considered as one of the best cricket stadiums in India. Its potential to accommodate 80,000 spectators makes it the second-largest cricket stadium in the country in terms of seating capacity. In the 2022 IPL, the iconic stadium attracted massive crowd during the first Qualifier and the Eliminator. The ground’s pitch is known for its turn which means Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) will rely on the skills of their veteran spinner Sunil Narine again to win games.

As this stadium is the home ground of two-time IPL champions KKR, it will host seven games of the team in the upcoming marquee event. In 2019, the local crowd got to witness remarkable knocks in Kolkata Knight Riders’ match against Mumbai Indians. In the first innings, Andre Russell of KKR played a sensational innings of 80 runs off 40 deliveries to help his team post 232/2.

Chasing 233, MI’s Hardik Pandya played a stunning knock of 91 runs off just 34 deliveries. However, in the end, his exceptional knock went in vain as KKR took the game home by 34 runs. 

10. BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow 

Ekana Stadium, Lucknow. (Photo Source: Twitter/BCCI)

For the first time, Lucknowites will get a chance to enjoy the flamboyance of the cash-rich league, by witnessing seven IPL matches, from April 1 to May 16. The first game in the city will be played between the hosts Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Delhi Capitals (DC) on April 1, 2023.

The stadium with a 50,000 seating capacity hit headlines after hosting the India vs New Zealand T20I match in January. After the match, Hardik Pandya expressed displeasure over the wicket, calling it a shocker, due to the excessive turn present on it. Following Pandya’s reaction, the ground authorities sacked the pitch curator as well and would now be gearing up with a fresh module, ahead of the mega tournament.

However, noting the history of the pitch, KL Rahul-led LSG batters will most probably be cautious and prepare themselves to confront spinners. In this IPL season, LSG will strive to deliver brilliant shows to satisfy local supporters on their home ground.

11. Inderjit Singh (IS) Bindra Stadium, Mohali

I.S.Bindra stadium, Mohali. (Photo Source: Twitter/BCCI)

The return of the home-and-away format in the 2023 IPL will bring joy to Punjab Kings (PBKS) team and its fans. Their record at the IS Bindra Stadium is quite decent as they’ve secured 30 wins in 56 matches. However, they will look to make their record better on the ground in the forthcoming T20 event.

Mohali’s surface has been heaven for spinners, and going with this fact, it could be said that PBKS will expect their spinners Rahul Chahar and Sikandar Raza to do justice to their role. Apart from spinners, Mohali’s wicket also helps pacers at times as it possesses good carry and bounce.

Taking advantage of the bouncy track, PBKS bowlers Arshadeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada and Sam Curran could go hard on their opponents with the ball. Talking about advantages for batters, the ground’s long boundaries could help them to gather runs easily through singles and doubles. 

12. Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai

During the COVID-19 crisis, Wankhede Stadium hosted a lot of IPL games. This year, the number of games will be reduced on this ground with the return of the home-and-away format. Mumbai Indians (MI), who are the home side, got only four games to play last year on their favourite home ground.

Of the four matches, they could win only two in their backyard. This time, they will have the responsibility to showcase their best performance in front of their home crowd. So far, the most successful IPL team has piled up 44 wins and 27 defeats at this stadium in 71 outings.

The iconic ground’s pitch is known for helping swing bowlers and MI, who have reserved the services of Jofra Archer, will expect the England bowler to enjoy the benefits of the wicket and wreak havoc on the visiting sides with the ball. The Wankhede surface is also known for favouring spinners and thus, the five-time champions will also look forward to getting quality performances from veteran Piyush Chawla, Hrithik Shokeen and Kumar Kartikeya.

Here are 12 venues of IPL 2023 with their respective home sides and number of matches to be played