Sawai Mansingh Stadium
The home ground of Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur.
Sawai Mansingh Stadium, popularly known as SMS Stadium, is a cricket stadium in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India. Built in 1969, it was named after Sawai Man Singh II, the last ruling Maharaja of the state of Jaipur, though his reign ended in 1949. The stadium is owned by the Government of Rajasthan and operated by RCA, having a seating capacity of about 30,000 spectators. It is the home ground of Rajasthan Royals, a team in the Indian Premier League.
- Location
- Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
- Role
- Home Ground of Rajasthan Royals (IPL)
- Named After
- Sawai Man Singh II
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium has hosted IPL matches for Rajasthan Royals, its local team, who won the first season. In a match at this stadium in 2008, Sohail Tanvir became the first player in IPL history to take a 6 wicket haul while playing for Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings. Royals have been deprived of their home advantage because of the inability of the Rajasthan Cricket Association to acquire requisite state government clearances.
In Their Own Story
The stadium's ODI debut kicked off with a contest between India and Pakistan on 2 October 1983. Fresh from their World Cup triumph, the Indians comfortably won by four wickets, sporting the same XI that won the World Cup final. The 1987 Test between India and Pakistan proved to be an instrument of peace, when Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq came over to witness the second day's play as part of his 'Cricket for Peace' initiative. The game, which saw Sunil Gavaskar being dismissed to the first ball of a Test match for the third time in his career, ended in a draw amid a controversy over the alleged deposition of sawdust on the wicket that Pakistan objected to.
Reader's Guide
The highest individual score by any batsman on this ground in ODIs is 183 not out by Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 31 October 2005. This is also the venue in which Virat Kohli made the fastest 100 for India in ODIs as India chased a total of 359 against Australia, which was the second highest successful chase in ODIs, after the Johannesburg epic between Australia and South Africa. The highest ODI total at this ground is 362–1 by India against Australia in 2013–14. The lowest ODI total at this ground is 125 by England against India. After announcement of shifting of some Indian Premier League matches in Maharashtra due to a severe drought situation in 2016, the IPL franchise Mumbai Indians opted for this stadium as its home ground as a substitution for Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
Did You Know?
- The stadium was built in 1969 and named after Sawai Man Singh II, the last ruling Maharaja of Jaipur, whose reign ended in 1949.
- It has hosted multiple Test matches, including India vs. West Indies in 1983 and India vs. Pakistan in 1987, when Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq crossed the border to watch the second day's play as part of his 'Cr
- Sunil Gavaskar was dismissed to the first ball of that 1987 Test match, becoming the first batsman in Test history to be dismissed on the first ball of a match three times.
- In a match at this stadium in 2008, Sohail Tanvir became the first player in IPL history to take a 6 wicket haul while playing for Rajasthan Royals v Chennai Super Kings.
- The highest individual score by any batsman on this ground in ODIs is 183 not out by Mahendra Singh Dhoni on 31 October 2005.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Sawai Mansingh Stadium located?
This historic cricket venue is situated in Jaipur, Rajasthan, and serves as the primary home ground for the franchise.
Who was the stadium named after?
The grounds honor Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, a former ruler of Jaipur who was a significant patron of sports and culture.
Why is this venue crucial to Rajasthan Royals legacy?
It hosted the team's miraculous maiden IPL title victory in 2008, cementing its status as a place where legends were forged.
What does the stadium mean to the Pink Army?
Fans regard it as their spiritual fortress where they gather to show unwavering passion and support for their team during matches.
Is Sawai Mansingh Stadium always used for home games?
While it is the traditional base, scheduling requirements occasionally necessitate playing home matches at other neutral venues across India.