Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, Ahmedabad
The Sardar Patel Stadium in Ahmedabad can hold a crowd of almost 50,000 and is one of the bigger grounds in the country. Named after India's first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the stadium was built within a span of nine months on a 50-acre stretch of land donated by the government. It is also called the Motera ground because it is located in that area of the city, and has seen many a record being broken. The ground hosted its first Test match in 1983 when West Indies beat the home side by more than 100 runs. Later in the 1984-85 Australia-India series, Sardar Patel Stadium went on to host its first ODI, one in which Australia beat the Indians.Sunil Gavaskar became the first-ever cricketer to score 10,000 runs in Test cricket on this ground – a feat he achieved against Pakistan. Kapil Dev also surged past Sir Richard Hadlee's record for the most number of wickets in Test matches here, after earlier having made a nine-wicket haul in his career also at the Motera ground. In 1996, the ground hosted a low-scoring Test match against South Africa, where the tourists faltered while chasing a paltry 170 for a win to end up at 105 all out. Javagal Srinath had scalped six wickets in the innings. However, South Africa had their sweet revenge when they bowled India out for 76 runs in the first session of the Test match in 2008 and then went on to win it by an innings and 90 runs. The Motera was also one of the venues for the 2006 edition of the Champions Trophy, with five of the 15 games being played here.
It has also hosted one game in each of the two World Cups that were played in the country, including the first match of the 1996 World Cup between England and New Zealand.
Motera will host four Rajasthan Royals games during the 2010 season of the Indian Premier League.
Home Team
Rajasthan Royals
6 DAY FORECAST
ROLLOVER FOR MAX / MIN TEMP °C
ODIS AT THIS GROUND
FIRST
IND VS AUS
OCT 05, 1984
last
IND VS SA
FEB 27, 2010
m
AV. inn 1
max
min
19
236
324
85
Stats say: favours batting & bowling equally.
capacity
48,000
end names
Adani Pavilion End
GMDC End
Established
1982
floodlights
10
15 Mar ,
2010
2010
20 Mar ,
2010
2010
26 Mar ,
2010
2010
28 Mar ,
2010
2010
Sights
Straddling the Sabarmati river, Ahmedabad still has managed to retain its old-world charm. With a rich, multi-religious history, this beautifully restored old city has stunning museums, fine restaurants and fabulous night markets. It is also famously the home of Sabarmati Ashram, a community center started by Mahatma Gandhi.
It also has several historic monuments including the Stepwell at Adalaj and the Rani Mosques. It is also home to many fine museums and art galleries. A must-see is also the Sidi Sayed Mosque, which is known for its exquisite screens. Check out the Swaminarayan Temple, where you will notice the fantastic and elaborate wooden carvings in the temple structure.
It also has several historic monuments including the Stepwell at Adalaj and the Rani Mosques. It is also home to many fine museums and art galleries. A must-see is also the Sidi Sayed Mosque, which is known for its exquisite screens. Check out the Swaminarayan Temple, where you will notice the fantastic and elaborate wooden carvings in the temple structure.
Shopping
Ahmedabad’s lanes and by-lanes are treasure troves of local handlooms and handicrafts. The Teen Darwaja area, in the heart of the city, is a goldmine for antiques, furniture and artifacts like cowbells, wind-chimes, wall hangings and Kutchi textiles. In the old city area is Gamthiwala shop, which sells excellent quality block-printed textiles and gorgeous, thick cotton. Also in old Ahmedabad is the crowded market of Dhal Garwad. C.G. Market is another popular haunt for pottery and silk patola saris. And visit the Law Garden night market, to buy ethnic fabrics and textiles and white metal jewellery. For the eco-friendly, there’s Asal, an organic shop near the Fatehnagar bus stop, which is so eco-friendly that it's lit by candles rather than electricity in the evenings.
Culture and Entertainment
There are lots of places of cultural import in Ahmedabad. One of them being Dada Hari Wav, built in 1499 by a woman from the family of Sultan Begara. It has steps to lower platforms, terminating at a small, octagonal well. The depths are cool, even on the hottest day. Visit the unique Kite Museum, on the ground floor of the City Museum, which has a selection of patterned tissue-paper kites resembling trapped butterflies.
Try the street food while strolling through the Law Garden night market. Excellent street cuisine is also available near Teen Darwaja on Bhathiyar Gali, a small street parallel to MG Road. Agashiye in the old city is recommended by locals as one of the city’s finest dining experiences. For the true Gujarati eating experience visit Vishalla, on the southern edge of town. Here you eat a veggie thali seated on the floor in rustic wooden huts, and the complex includes craft stalls and a fascinating Utensil Museum.
Try the street food while strolling through the Law Garden night market. Excellent street cuisine is also available near Teen Darwaja on Bhathiyar Gali, a small street parallel to MG Road. Agashiye in the old city is recommended by locals as one of the city’s finest dining experiences. For the true Gujarati eating experience visit Vishalla, on the southern edge of town. Here you eat a veggie thali seated on the floor in rustic wooden huts, and the complex includes craft stalls and a fascinating Utensil Museum.
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