The Magnificent R. Premadasa Stadium: “Icon of Sri Lankan Cricket”

The Magnificent R. Premadasa Stadium

The Magnificent R. Premadasa Stadium: “Icon of Sri Lankan Cricket”

Premadasa Stadium was previously known as Khettarama Arena, Khettarama Street, in the Maligawatta suburbs of Colombo, Sri Lanka. Way back in June 1994, known as the Khettarama Cricket Arena and is today one of the primary settings where the Sri Lankan cricket crew play, having facilitated an excess of 100 one-day worldwide matches.

 It is the biggest arena in Sri Lanka with a limited audience of 35,000. R. Premadasa Stadium hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 finals between Sri Lanka and West Indies & the 2002 ICC Champions Prize finals between Sri Lanka and India, first semi-final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup between Sri Lanka and New Zealand.

 This was where the most elevated Grade in history was recorded; 952 by Sri Lanka against India. With a limit surpassing Master’s in Britain, the arena is known as the “home of Sri Lankan cricket”. The R. Premadasa Stadium went through a reproduction project in anticipation of the 2011 Cricket World Cup. 

The arena has been going through huge scope redesigns beginning around 2009. It has had its seating limit increment from 14,000 to 40,000, the media box obliging 200 columnists, and different redesigns. 

Cost of Sri Lanka Cricket

The remodels have cost Sri Lanka Cricket $8 million. In July 2010, a report recorded by the ICC pitch specialist, Andy Atkinson, raised worries over the state of the outfield and the pitch guaranteeing he was concerned at the sluggish speed of progress. 

Albeit none of the structures at the arena was close to the end, the second Trial of the West Indies visit through Sri Lanka in 2010, was held at the scene on 23-27 November. Sri Lanka Cricket guarded picking the arena saying that the choice to organize a game was to permit cricketers to adapt themselves to the ground in front of the World Cup games. 

The Test match was organized involving transitory seating for observers in the edge of the arena as just players’ structures had long-lasting game plans.

The R. Premadasa Stadium facilitated seven effective World Cup matches including a quarter-last and a semi-last. On 10 May 2011, Sri Lanka Cricket’s secretary confirmed. 

Sri Lanka Head Association’s matches would be played at R. Premadasa stadium. The competition was subsequently delayed till 2012 because of monetary difficulties and an interior shift in power in Sri Lanka Cricket. On 21 September 2011, it was reported that the arena would have fifteen 2012 ICC World Twenty20 matches, including the semi-finals and the finals.

Premadasa Stadium Impacted Renovation on International Cups: How It Changed the Game

Premadasa Stadium

The R. Premadasa stadium was picked as one of the four scenes to have the matches of the 2023 Asia Cup, which Sri Lanka is co-facilitating alongside Pakistan. The arena hosted 5 out of the 6 Very Four matches, while additionally facilitating the competition last.

At R.Premadasa Stadium on Aug 6, 1997: Jayasuriya Dominates India with  Record-Breakers

  •  It down-poured runs at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo as Sri Lanka clashed with India in the primary Trial of the two-match series from August 2 to August 6, 1997. The game was a witness to numerous distinguished records as the batsmen from the two sides made the most out of the batting-accommodating pitch of Colombo. 
  • While there were upwards of six centuries in the five-day match, it was Sri Lanka’s initial batsman Sanath Jayasuriya who took all the spotlight. The record-breaking Test coordinate initiated with Indian captain Sachin Tendulkar winning the throw and choosing to show their ability with the willow first. 
  • India lost their initial batsman Nayan Mongia efficiently at a score of seven. Nonetheless, Navjot Singh Sidhu, Tendulkar, and Mohammad Azharuddin crushed a century each to drive India to a ranking all out of 537. The captain was the most elevated run-getter for India with 143, trailing Azharuddin (126) and Sidhu (111). 
  • Accordingly, Sri Lanka was 39/1 toward the finish of Day 1. They accepted their most memorable hiccup through opening batsman Marvan Atapattu who lost his wicket while playing at 26. 
  • Notwithstanding at R.Premadasa Stadium, the excess three days of the match saw the desolation of the Indian bowlers. Jayasuriya made a few records over the course of three days to compose his name in brilliant letters throughout the entire existence of the most flawless configuration of the game. Jayasuriya shaped a record-breaking organization with Sri Lanka’s number three Roshan Mahanama. 

India with  Record-Breakers

  • The two prearranged history by batting in the center for the entire two days. Jayasuriya and Mahanama sewed a 576-run organization for the subsequent wicket, the most noteworthy in worldwide cricket. Mahanama arrived at the score of 225 off 561.
  •  In the meantime, Jayasuriya enlisted his first and the main triple hundred in the longest organization. The left-hander’s noteworthy innings reached a conclusion as he was caught by Indian spinner Rajesh Chauhan. Jayasuriya withdrew to the structure in the wake of scoring 340 off 578. 
  • This was followed by the endeavors of Arvinda de Silva, who turned into the 6th centurion of the experience. Arvinda crushed 126 to take Sri Lanka to the most noteworthy score at any point to complete Test cricket i.e 952. While the game saw the class of probably the best batsmen from the two India and Sri Lanka, it finished in a draw.

“ODIs Unveiled in R.Premadasa Stadium, Tracing the Evolution and Excellence in One Day Internationals”

  • The R. Premadasa Stadium has facilitated a total of 145 ODIs up until this point. The very first ODI was arranged on 5 April 1986, when New Zealand visited Sri Lanka. The Kiwis arose triumphant in the evening. 
  • The group batting initially has won multiple times, while the pursuing side has won on 53 events. The crown jewels have been shared on eight occasions, with the game pronounced as “No Outcome”.  
  • The sluggish bowlers have appreciated huge help from the pitch. The typical first-innings score on the ground is 248, and pursuing is supposed to be moderately hard. The center overs would be essential for any group and would choose the consequence of the game. 

R.Premadasa Stadium  India’s Pinnacle Performances and Record-breaking Feats

  • The record for the most noteworthy group score on the ground as they set up 375/5 on the board against Sri Lanka during their visit to the island country in 2017. Rohit Sharma (104) and Virat Kohli (131) both hit hundreds of years, while MS Dhoni (49*) and Manish Pandey (50*) contributed with significant commitments in the evening, with the lowest score by a group at R. Premadasa Stadium. 
  • The lowest score by a group at R Premadasa Stadium in ODIs 86, by the Netherlands against Sri Lanka
  •  Kumara Sangakkara gloats about having stirred things up around town with every individual score in an ODI match at R. Premadasa Stadium, with 169 (137 balls). The Southpaw scored a hundred against South Africa in 2013. Sangakkara hit 18 boundaries and six maximums in his innings, striking at 123.35. Politeness of his 100 years, Sri Lanka beat their adversary by a mind-blowing edge of 180 runs. 
  • Muttiah Muralitharan has taken the most number of wickets in ODIs at R Premadasa Field – 75. The right-arm off-spinner surrendered in 2021 and has a best figure of 5/44 at the setting. 

Frequently Asked Questions [FAQS] : 

Here are a few inquiries about R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo, Sri Lanka:

When is it open?

 6 AM-5 PM consistently 

What is the limit?

 The high limit of spectators could fit around 35,000.

Is a wheelchair available?

 Indeed, entry and parking areas are wheelchair are open

What are a few features?

 Some say the arena is astonishing and the cricketing experience is superb 

What are the records?

 55 centuries scored in ODI matches, including 4 by Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, and Sanath Jayasuriya, and 3 by Sourav Ganguly 

What are the most noteworthy and least Test sums?

 952/6 by Sri Lanka against India in 1997 is the highest, and 87 by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka in 2005 is the lowest. 

What are the best bowling figures?

 7/89 by Rangana Herath against Bangladesh in 2012/13, and 9/60 by Muttiah Muralitharan

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