R. Premadasa Stadium

The R. Premadasa Cricket Stadium (RPS) (Sinhala: ආර්. ප්‍රේමදාස ක්‍රීඩාංගනය, Tamil: ஆர். பிரேமதாச அரங்கம்; formerly known as Khettarama Stadium) is a cricket stadium on Khettarama Road, in the Maligawatta suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The stadium was, before June 1994, known as the Khettarama Cricket Stadium and is today one of the main venues where the Sri Lankan cricket team play, having hosted more than 150 one-day international matches. It is the largest stadium in Sri Lanka with a capacity of 35,000 spectators. It has hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 final between Sri Lanka and West Indies; the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final between Sri Lanka and India and first semi-final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. This was where the highest Test score in history was recorded; 952 by Sri Lanka against India. With capacity exceeding Lord's in England, the stadium is known as the "Home of Sri Lankan Cricket". History Renovation The Premadasa Stadium underwent a reconstruction project in preparation for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The stadium has been undergoing large-scale renovations since 2009. It has had its seating capacity increase from 14,000 to 40,000, the media box accommodating 200 journalists, and other upgrades. The renovations have cost Sri Lanka Cricket $8 million. In July 2010, a report filed by the ICC pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson, raised concerns over the condition of the outfield and the pitch claiming he was worried at the slow pace of progress. Although none of the buildings at the stadium was near completion, the 2nd Test of the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka in 2010, was held at the venue in 23–27 November. Sri Lanka Cricket defended choosing the stadium saying that the decision to stage a game was to allow cricketers to acclimatize themselves to the ground ahead of the World Cup games. The Test match was staged using temporary seating for spectators in a corner of the stadium as only players' pavilions had permanent arrangements. Since the press box was not completed reporters and commentators facing technical difficulties used a makeshift arrangement. The main four public stands were refurbished along with the player dressing room area and the corporate boxes. A VIP car park is at the northern end of the ground. Stadium plan Pavilions A and B are fully equipped with seating in two tiers, lower and higher. Several corporate boxes are built in these two stands. Pavilions C and D are built between the scoreboard in the stadium with a two-tiered seating system. The lower tiers have concrete paving allocated for floor seating and the upper tier includes fully standard seating blocks. The grandstand and top-level block above the player pavilions have enhanced quality seating. Pavilions A and B give a moderate view of the scoreboard while the grandstand not only gives a good view of the scoreboard but also the game and pitch. After renovation The R Premadasa Stadium hosted seven successful World Cup matches including a quarter-final and a semi-final. On 10 May 2011 Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed that the first edition of 2011 Sri Lanka Premier League's matches would play at R Premadasa Stadium. The tournament was later postponed till 2012 due to financial complications and internal regime change at Sri Lanka Cricket. On 21 September 2011, it was announced that the stadium would host fifteen 2012 ICC World Twenty20 matches, including the semi-finals and the final. Asia Cup 2023 The Premdasa Stadium was chosen as one of the four venues to host the matches of the 2023 Asia Cup, which Sri Lanka were co-hosting along with Pakistan. The stadium hosted 5 out of the 6 Super Four matches, while also hosting the tournament final. T20 World Cup 2026 The R. Premdasa stadium is the planned venue for eight matches during the ICC Men's 2026 World Cup to be held in February 2026 (co-hosted by India & Sri Lanka). A total of eight matches will be held at the venue: five during the initial group stage (Groups A and B), including the India-Pakistan rivalry on Feb 15, and three contests during the Super 8. It may host the final as well, in case Pakistan qualifies for the Final. Ground figures International Matches Key Test cricket The highest Test total of all time was recorded at the R Premadasa Stadium is 952/6 declared by Sri Lanka against India in 1997. The lowest Test total is 87 by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in 2005. Sanath Jayasuriya scored 340 against India in 1997. This remains the highest score at R Premadasa Stadium. The 36 wickets captured by Muttiah Muralitharan remains the most number of wickets at the R Premadasa stadium. The best bowling figures in an innings is 7/89 by Rangana Herath against Bangladesh in the 2012/13 season. Muttiah Muralitharan's 9/60 remains the best bowling figures in a match. One Day Internationals The highest ODI total is 375/5 by India against Sri Lanka on 31 August 2017. Sanath Jayasuriya has scored 2514 runs which is the highest by a single player at the Premadasa stadium and he held the record for being the highest runs scored in a single cricket ground till January 2018 when Tamim Iqbal overtook it. Marvan Atapattu, Aravinda de Silva, Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara and Sachin Tendulkar have scored more than 1000 runs. Muttiah Muralitharan with 75 scalps has captured the most number of wickets at the Premadasa stadium. The highest individual score at R Premadasa stadium is 169 by Kumar Sangakkara against South Africa in the 2013 season. R Premedasa stadium became the first in Sri Lanka and fourth in the world to host 100 ODIs. Lasith Malinga has taken two ODI hat-tricks at this stadium. The first came against Kenya in the 2011 World Cup and the second versus Australia on 22 August 2011 Twenty20 Internationals The first match played on 10 February 2009 involved Sri Lanka and India. Highest team total at the R. Premadasa Stadium is 215/5 by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka. The lowest total is 80 by Afghanistan against England on 21 September 2012. Sri Lanka has lost 9 of 10 matches played on this ground, which is the worst home ground for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka won the T20I series against India for the first time at this ground in 2021. Longest over The longest over at this stadium was bowled by James Grant in 2001. World Cup Cricket In 1996 and 2011 ICC cricket world cups R. Premadasa Stadium hosted nine matches including a quarter-final match and a semi-final match. It has hosted the highest number of cricket World Cup matches in Sri Lanka. 1996 Cricket World Cup 2011 Cricket World Cup Group matches Quarter-finals Semi-finals ICC Champions Trophy Cricket The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy was held in Sri Lanka. Nine matches were played in R. Premadasa Stadium including the semi-finals and the final. Other matches were played in SSC. 2002 ICC Champions Trophy Group matches Semi-finals Final ICC World Twenty20 Sri Lanka hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20. Fifteen out of twenty-seven matches were played at R. Premadasa Stadium, including the semi-finals and the final. Other matches were played in Pallekele International Cricket Stadium and Mahinda Rajapaksa International Stadium. 2012 ICC World Twenty20 Group matches Super 8s Semi-finals Final Gallery See also List of stadiums by capacity List of Test cricket grounds List of international cricket grounds in Sri Lanka References External links Cricinfo profile on R. Premadasa Stadium