The Barsapara Cricket Stadium, which is officially called the ‘Assam Cricket Association Stadium’, with some people even calling it ‘Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium is a historical glory as it stands proudly as the beating heart of cricket in Northeast India.
Since its establishment in 2012, the stadium has brought in world-class cricket to Guwahati, thus offering players and fans a very elite, modern experience. The evolution and the matches played here illustrate Assam’s vibrant history in the sporting culture and ambition to turn global. This article will delve into the stadium’s history, significance, architecture, key matches, and much more – so stay tuned!
Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Overview
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium is a landmark both for Assam as well as Indian Cricket. The stadium maintenance is done by the Assam Cricket Association, and it is located in Barsapara, Guwahati. This makes it the largest sports venue in the whole of Northeast India, as in it can easily accommodate 40,000 spectators, with the most related capacity going at 46000 and extendable to 55000 for major events.
The stadium is known for its architectural excellence, sustainability, and modern infrastructure, thus offering excellent visibility from its steep and covered galleries.
| Name | Barsapara Cricket Stadium |
| Also Known As | Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium |
| Location | Barsapara, Guwahati, Assam |
| Year of Establishment | Foundation laid 2004; completed 2012; inaugurated 2017 |
| Seating Capacity | 46000 (Extends to 55000) |
| Floodlights | Installed in 2017 |
| Ends | Media Ends, Pavilion End |
| Architect | Shashi Prabhu and Associates |
| Tenants | Assam Cricket Team, Rajasthan Royals |
| Surface | Black Soil; batting-friendly |
History and Establishment
Barsapara’s journey started off as early as the 2000s, with the foundation stone being laid in 2004 by the then Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi. The State Government back then had allocated 59 bighas of land for the project.
The construction, however, commenced only in 2006, and the stadium was transformed from a former dumping ground into a beacon for sport, which is championed by the government and regional cricket enthusiasts, By 2012, the stadium was quite ready to host its first domestic and competitive match – a women’s one-day match that was between Assam and Odisha and was held on 4th October 2012 – during the East Zone Senior Women’s Inter-State One-Day Championship.
By 2017, the stadium had managed to achieve international status, and was officially inaugurated on 10th October 2017 by the then-Chief Minister, Sarbananda Sonowal and it hosted its first T20I between India and Australia – thus making it India’s 49th international cricket venue.
Ownership and Management
The Barsapara Stadium is owned and managed by the Assam Cricket Association (ACA), whose headquarters are situated here as well. The management of the stadium is deeply involved in maintaining world-class standards thus ensuring that the stadium appropriately meets the requirements of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and also the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Architecture, Seating Capacity, and Facilities
The stadium boasts of innovation as the architectural marvel was the first Indian stadium that used structural steel framing and steel decking, thus proving resilient and effective should an earthquake occur. The interior amenities include:
- Covered seating for all-around comfort with a capacity of 40,000-46000, which can go up to 55,000.
- Sprinkler system for pitch maintenance
- Floodlights for both day and night matches
- State-of-the-art dressing rooms with multiple practice nets
- Modern media center with press rooms
- An indoor practice wicket spot, fitness gym, swimming pool, and other training facilities
- Hospitality boxes with restaurants, food courts, VIP lounge,s and other spacious spectator amenities
Pitch Reports and Player Facilities
Barsapara Stadium is quite famous for its batting-friendly pitch, which offers true bounce and pace, thus making it a high-scoring venue in limited-overs cricket.
Below is an overview of the pitch conditions of the stadium
| Surface | Black soil that favors batsmen in T20 and ODI formats |
| Best Strategy | Teams prefer to bowl first |
| Average T20 score | 161 – for the 1st inning |
| Floodlights | Latest installations since 2017, facilitating day-night fixtures and LED for better visibility, and global broadcast standards. |
| Dressing Rooms | Spacious, air-conditioned, with full amenities for international teams. |
| Practise Area | Indoor and outdoor nets, gym, swimming pools etc |
| Hospitality Services | VIP and VVIP enclosures, offering premium seating and proximity to player areas, streamlined crowd management systems. |
| Food Court | Diverse cuisines available |
Important All Matches, Iconic Moments and Records Made
All Matches
| First International Match (T20I) | India vs Australia, October 10, 2017 Australia won by 8 wickets. Attendance: 38,132. Marked the stadium’s debut as India’s 49th international cricket venue. |
| First ODI | India vs West Indies, October 21, 2018 India won by 8 wickets. Virat Kohli scored a century, showcasing the stadium’s batting-friendly pitch. |
| High-Scoring T20I | India vs South Africa, October 2, 2022 India scored 237/3, South Africa replied with 221/3. India won by 16 runs. Notable performances by Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, and David Miller (106*). |
| IPL Debut | Rajasthan Royals vs Punjab Kings, April 5, 2023. Rajasthan Royals played their first IPL match at the stadium, marking its entry into the IPL circuit as their second home venue. |
| IPL 2023 Match | Rajasthan Royals vs Delhi Capitals, April 8, 2023, Second IPL match hosted, reinforcing the stadium’s growing prominence in domestic T20 cricket. |
| ODI World Cup Warm-Up | India vs England, September 30, 2023 Match was abandoned due to rain, but it was significant as a World Cup preparatory event. |
| Domestic Tournaments | Regular host for Ranji Trophy, Duleep Trophy, Deodhar Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy matches, including Assam vs Odisha (women’s ODI, November 4, 2012), the first competitive match at the stadium. |
Iconic Moments
| International Debut | The stadium’s inauguration on October 10, 2017, by then-Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, followed by the India vs Australia T20I, marked Northeast India’s entry into international cricket. |
| Virat Kohli’s Century | During the India vs West Indies ODI (October 21, 2018), Kohli’s century captivated fans, highlighting the stadium’s potential for high-scoring games. |
| High-Scoring T20I Thriller | The India vs South Africa T20I (October 2022) saw a combined 458 runs, with Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, and David Miller delivering standout performances, making it one of the highest-scoring T20Is in India. |
| Riyan Parag’s Rise | Local hero Riyan Parag’s performances for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2023 matches at Barsapara added a regional pride element, inspiring young cricketers in Northeast India. |
| IPL Milestone | Hosting IPL matches in 2023 for the Rajasthan Royals established Barsapara as a key venue in India’s premier T20 league, boosting its national profile. |
Records Made
| Highest T20I Team Score | India – 237/3 vs South Africa, October 2, 2022. Highest team total at the stadium, driven by Suryakumar Yadav, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli. |
| Lowest T20I Team Score | Services – 90/8 vs Bengal, 2021 (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy). Lowest recorded T20 score at the venue in a competitive match. |
| Highest Individual T20I Score | Ruturaj Gaikwad – 123 (57 balls)* vs Australia, November 28, 2023. Highest individual score in a T20I at Barsapara. |
| Best Bowling Figures (T20) | Shubham Agarwal – 5/13 for Chhattisgarh vs Services, 2021 (Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy). Best bowling performance recorded at the stadium. |
| Highest T20 Partnership | Quinton de Kock & David Miller – 174 (unbeaten)* for South Africa vs India, October 2, 2022. The highest partnership recorded at the venue. |
| Highest IPL Individual Score | Quinton de Kock – 97 (45 balls)* for Kolkata Knight Riders, 2025. Highest individual score in an IPL match at Barsapara. |
| Highest ODI Score | Exact score unavailable The provided document does not specify the highest ODI team score. Given the batting-friendly pitch with average first-innings scores of 270–280, scores likely exceed 300 in some matches |
Renovations and Modern Technology
Barsapara’s design reflects strategic but robust planning against Assam’s high-rainfall and high-seismic zones. Some of the recent renovations and upgrades include:
- Expanding the seating capacity to hold about 55000 people
- Advanced LED floodlights for better night visibility
- Upgraded digital screens, pitch technology and quick drainage for recovery during heavy monsoons
- Biometric security and CCTV for effective crowd management.
Barsapara Stadium Comparison with Major Stadiums
The Barsapara Stadium is compared to some major stadiums in India and also overseas, as it highlights key features, capacity, and several distinct strengths as compared to others:
| Stadium Name | Venue | Capacity | Architect/Designer | Distinct Strengths |
| Barsapara Cricket Stadium (Assam Cricket Association Stadium, Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium) | Guwahati, India | 40,000-55,000 | Shashi Prabhu & Associates | Earthquake-resistant steel frame, NE India’s largest, modern hospitality, IPL venue |
| Narendra Modi Stadium | Ahmedabad, India | 132,000 | Populous, Larsen & Toubro | World’s largest, column-free design, PTFE roof, complete rebuild 2020 |
| Eden Gardens | Kolkata, India | 66,000 | M/S Babu Shib Nath & Co | Historic, iconic, metro connectivity, World Cup venue, oldest international stadium in India |
| Gaddafi Stadium | Lahore, Pakistan | 34,000 | Nasreddin Murat-Khan (orig.), Nayyar Ali Dada (renovation) | PCB HQ, Mughal-influenced, modern LED floodlights, security moat |
| Dubai International Stadium | Dubai, UAE | 25,000-30,000 | Sports City Architects | “Ring of Fire” LED lighting, premium suites, neutral ICC host |
Hospitality and Cultural Significance
Interestingly, the Barsapara Cricket Stadium is actually more than a sports venue – it’s a cultural landmark for Assam as it not only hosts cricket matches but also hosts concerts and events thus highlighting the region’s vibrant heritage – much like the Gaddafi Stadium in Pakistan.
The Stadium’s integration as a cultural hub has inevitably enhanced its overall appeal, with local stars like Riyan Parag and other international stars also adding to its allure.
The stadium’s amenities, including hospitality, food courts, covered seating, and modern concourses prioritize spectator comfor,t thus making it a fan favorite while being culturally significant.
Upcoming Matches
Below are some of the upcoming matches that are set to be hosted in late 2025 to 2026:
| Date | Match | Format | Time (IST) | Tournament/Series |
| March 26, 2025 | Rajasthan Royals vs Kolkata Knight Riders | IPL T20 | 7:30 PM | IPL 2025 |
| March 30, 2025 | Rajasthan Royals vs Chennai Super Kings | IPL T20 | 7:30 PM | IPL 2025 |
| September 30, 2025 | India vs Sri Lanka | Women’s ODIs | 2:30 AM | ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 |
| November 22-26, 2025 | India vs South Africa (2nd Test) | Test | 9:30 AM | Freedom Trophy |
| November 30, 2025 | India vs South Africa (1st ODI) | ODI | 1:30 PM | South Africa in India 2025 |
Conclusion
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium has exemplified Assam’s commitment and dedication to cricket as per Indian as well as international sporting standards. It offers world-class architecture, a vibrant atmosphere with constant and rapid modernization.
Spectators have the time of their lives as they enjoy elite amenities whilst the IPL and international matches put Guwahati on the global cricket map.
With a packed calendar for the upcoming future matches, Barsapara Stadium stands as a premier venue elevating the future of cricket in Northeast India and beyond.
