Lal Bahadur Shastri was an international cricket ground in Hyderabad, India. The stadium was initially known by Fateh Maiden and latter in 1967 it was renamed after the India’s former Prime Minister Sri. Lal Bahadur Shastri. This international cricket stadium was built in 1940 but it was opened in 1967 for one day international and test matches. This ground was discontinued for International cricket when Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium was built and fully operation in 2005. Since then the stadium is used for hosting national games, cricket leagues, Ranji Trophy matches, large parties, and felicitation ceremony.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium is also known by its short name as LB Stadium. The stadium has the flood lights which allow playing of day night matches and Lal Bahadur Shastri was the venue for many since its existence. It as the seating capacity of 30,000 people and the surface of this stadium is pure grass. It’s owned by Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP). Apart from serving as the venue for national and international sporting events like football and cricket the stadium has swimming pool, shopping complex, tennis court and indoor stadium for various events. It has two bowling ends namely Pavilion End and the Hill Fort End.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium is situated behind the police control room in Nampally area. It’s located exactly between the Nizam College and Public Gardens in Hyderabad. Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium has hosted three test matches (all against New Zealand) and 13 one day international matches since 1983/84. The first ODI match here was played in 1983/84 between the host India and the visiting Pakistan team which was won by Indian comfortably. Then in 1987 and Pakistan showed a thrilling encounter by levelling the score at 212 but India won it because of losing fewer wickets. It also hosted a 1987 world cup match between Zimbabwe and New Zealand. Then in 1992 match between West Indies and Zimbabwe saw this stadium in flood lights in a day night encounter.
This stadium is known for some good score and it was noticed in last few ODIs where the team batting first have scored more than 300 runs and won it more easily. Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid recorded the highest ODI partnership of 331 runs against New Zealand in 1999. In the same match Tendulkar made 186 and Dravid made 153 which were individual highest score for both of them at that time. Due to high scoring and small size of the stadium, it was overlooked and discontinued with alternative being the Uppal Cricket Stadium.
It’s quite easy to reach the Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium as its located in the city center near Basheerbagh.
