First look inside Varanasi’s Rs 450 crore international cricket stadium offers views of trishul-shaped floodlights, crescent-shaped roof and near-complete damru media centre

Varanasi’s new international cricket stadium is nearing its debut, bringing a 30,000-seat venue with trishul-shaped floodlights, a crescent-shaped roof and a damru-inspired media centre to the city, as per an Instagram post. Spread across 31 acres and built at a cost of around Rs 450 crore, the stadium is preparing to host domestic cricket as plans for bigger tournaments take shape.

The venue is also emerging as a possible destination for Indian Premier League (IPL) matches in 2027. Officials from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and broadcast teams have inspected the stadium, while the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has scheduled Under-19 domestic fixtures. Its entry into competitive cricket will depend on the necessary clearances and assessments.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Engineer Varanasi (@engineer_varanasi)

What makes Varanasi's new cricket stadium different?

The stadium combines modern cricket infrastructure with architectural elements inspired by the city's cultural identity. Its most distinctive features include floodlights shaped like trishuls, a crescent-shaped roof and a media centre designed around the form of a damru.


The venue has a seating capacity of 30,000, which can reportedly be expanded to accommodate up to 40,000 spectators. Its size and facilities are intended to make it a significant addition to Uttar Pradesh's cricket infrastructure.

Another important feature is the upgraded drainage system. According to reports, the ground is expected to become playable within 30 minutes of heavy rainfall. If the system performs as intended during actual matches, it could help reduce weather-related interruptions.

The stadium has been developed at an estimated cost of Rs 450 crore across 31 acres. Its construction follows the foundation stone ceremony in 2023, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the project in his parliamentary constituency. Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries attended the event.

BCCI clearance is the next major step

Despite the completion of construction work, the stadium needs the necessary cricketing clearances before it can host competitive matches.

The BCCI had planned an inspection of the venue to assess whether it met the board's requirements. The inspection process is particularly important because the condition of the playing surface and the quality of the newly laid pitches will influence the stadium's readiness for matches.

A source cited in a report published by The Indian Express said the UPCA wanted some Under-19 matches to be scheduled at the venue to test the pitches. These fixtures would help officials assess playing conditions before the stadium takes on more prominent assignments.

The UPCA currently hosts competitive cricket at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium and Lucknow's Ekana Cricket Stadium. Varanasi would become the association's third venue, improving access to major cricket facilities for fans in eastern Uttar Pradesh.

Under-19 matches planned before bigger tournaments

The stadium's initial fixtures are expected to provide a practical test of its infrastructure and playing surface.

According to a report published by The Times of India on October 24, the UPCA has scheduled two Under-19 Cooch Behar Trophy matches at the venue.

Uttar Pradesh are scheduled to face Puducherry from December 3 to 6, followed by a match against Chhattisgarh from December 11 to 14. The association is also likely to organise a camp before the fixtures to assess the pitch and ground conditions.

Domestic matches would give officials an opportunity to evaluate how the ground performs during competitive play. The assessment would cover the playing surface and the broader match-day arrangements before the venue is considered for larger events.

The stadium's first assignments could therefore play an important role in determining how quickly it moves from a completed construction project to an established cricket venue.

Could Varanasi host IPL matches in 2027?

The possibility of IPL matches has added to the attention surrounding the new stadium.

According to the October 24 Times of India report, officials from the BCCI, LSG and broadcast teams visited the venue as part of an assessment for major cricket events. UPCA sources indicated that a few IPL matches could potentially be shifted to Varanasi in the future.

A senior UPCA official was quoted as saying there was a strong possibility of some IPL matches being moved to the Kashi stadium. However, this remains a possibility rather than a confirmed allocation of matches.

The venue has also been discussed as a potential host for Women's Premier League (WPL) matches. The association's plans for major tournaments will depend on the stadium's readiness, the relevant approvals and other operational considerations, including weather conditions.

For now, the scheduled domestic fixtures are the clearest indication of how the stadium could begin its competitive journey. Successful matches would help establish the venue's credentials for future assignments.

A third major cricket venue for Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi's stadium is expected to expand the state's cricket infrastructure beyond its established venues in Kanpur and Lucknow.

The 30,000-seat ground, with the potential to expand to 40,000, could serve spectators from eastern Uttar Pradesh who otherwise have fewer nearby options for watching major cricket matches.

Its distinctive design also gives the venue a recognisable identity. The trishul-shaped floodlights, crescent roof and damru-shaped media centre draw on familiar cultural symbols while forming part of a modern sporting facility.

The immediate priority is to establish the ground's readiness through domestic cricket and secure the necessary approvals. If the venue meets the requirements for higher-level competitions, Varanasi could begin hosting more prominent fixtures, with IPL and WPL matches among the possibilities being discussed.

Inputs from TOI