Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore occupies a unique place in IPL history — a venue that appeared for just three seasons (2011, 2017, 2018) yet produced some of the tournament's most extraordinary batting fireworks. In only 9 matches, this central Indian ground witnessed a team total of 245, a collapse to 88 all out, and an astonishing 88% win rate for captains who chose to field first after winning the toss. For a venue with fewer than 10 IPL appearances, Holkar punches absurdly above its weight in the record books.
Located in the heart of Madhya Pradesh's commercial capital, the Holkar Cricket Stadium (capacity approximately 30,000) served as the home ground for Kings XI Punjab during their Indore stint. The ground's compact dimensions, true bounce, and evening dew conditions created a formula that rewarded aggressive batting — and penalised teams that batted first without adjusting to the conditions.
Pitch Behaviour & Character
The Holkar Cricket Stadium pitch is a quintessential flat batting surface with even bounce and minimal lateral movement. The red-soil outfield is lightning fast, meaning even mis-hits can race to the boundary. The straight boundaries measure approximately 64 metres, while the square boundaries are a shade under 60 metres — compact by international standards and a paradise for power hitters.
Across its 9 IPL matches, the average first-innings score has hovered around 170-180, confirming the surface's batting-friendly reputation. However, the pitch tends to slow marginally in the second half of the evening as dew settles. This moisture layer makes gripping the ball difficult for bowlers in the second innings, turning chase-friendly conditions into a near-certainty after sunset.
Spin bowlers find limited purchase on this surface, while pace bowlers can extract value early with the new ball before the pitch flattens out. Death-over bowling at Holkar is a test of nerve — the short boundaries and flat deck mean yorker length is the only safe option. Anything back of a length disappears over cow corner.
Historical Record Table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total IPL matches hosted | 9 (across 2011, 2017, 2018) |
| Seasons used | 3 (2011, 2017, 2018) |
| Average first innings score | ~175 |
| Average second innings score | ~165 |
| Highest team total | 245/6 by KKR vs KXIP, 12 May 2018 |
| Lowest team total | 88 all out by KXIP vs RCB, 14 May 2018 |
| Toss-winner chose to field | 8 out of 9 matches (89%) |
| Toss-decision win % (field first) | 88% |
| Most matches in a single season | 4 (IPL 2018) |
The data paints a clear picture: Holkar is a ground where teams overwhelmingly prefer to chase, and the decision to bowl first has been vindicated in 7 out of 8 instances.
Toss & Chase Psychology
The toss statistics at Holkar Cricket Stadium tell one of the most dramatic stories of any IPL venue. Of 9 matches played here, 8 toss winners elected to field first — a 89% field-first rate that dwarfs even notoriously dew-affected grounds like the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi.
The single captain who chose to bat first after winning the toss lost the match, reinforcing the overwhelming consensus: at Holkar, you chase. The 88% win rate for captains choosing to bowl first is the highest of any IPL venue with more than 5 matches hosted.
The reason is straightforward — Indore's continental climate produces heavy evening dew from roughly the 12th over of the second innings onwards. The ball becomes a bar of soap for bowlers, spinners lose all grip, and even medium pacers struggle to hit their lengths consistently. Teams batting second can afford to play themselves in during the powerplay, knowing the conditions will tilt decisively in their favour from the 15th over onward.
For captains and analysts studying Holkar in future IPL seasons, the message is unambiguous: win the toss, bowl first, and trust the dew to do the rest.
Most Successful Teams at Holkar
| Team | Wins | Matches | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kings XI Punjab | 4 | 7 | 57% |
| Mumbai Indians | 2 | 3 | 67% |
| Kolkata Knight Riders | 1 | 2 | 50% |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 1 | 2 | 50% |
| Kochi Tuskers Kerala | 1 | 1 | 100% |
Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) dominated Holkar during their stint as the home franchise, winning 4 out of 7 matches played at the venue across 2017 and 2018. The KXIP squad of that era — featuring KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, and Andrew Tye — was tailor-made for the flat Holkar surface. Gayle in particular relished the short boundaries, treating the Indore crowd to several power-hitting masterclasses.
Mumbai Indians boasted a perfect 67% win rate at the venue, winning both their away fixtures and demonstrating that quality bowling units could still prevail despite the batting-friendly conditions. The Kochi Tuskers Kerala, the now-defunct franchise, won their sole match at Holkar during IPL 2011 — a footnote in IPL history but a cherished memory for the franchise's brief fanbase.
Memorable Matches & Moments
KKR's 245 — The Highest Total at Holkar (12 May 2018)
The single most explosive innings in Holkar's IPL history came on 12 May 2018, when Kolkata Knight Riders amassed 245/6 against Kings XI Punjab. This remains one of the highest team totals in IPL history. The KKR batting lineup, led by Sunil Narine's blistering powerplay assault and Andre Russell's death-over carnage, dismantled the KXIP bowling attack across all 20 overs. The Indore crowd witnessed 18 sixes in a single innings — a boundary-fest that encapsulated everything Holkar represents: short boundaries, flat pitch, fast outfield, no mercy for bowlers.
KXIP's 88 All Out — The Holkar Collapse (14 May 2018)
Just two days after that 245-run onslaught, the same Holkar pitch produced the lowest total in the venue's IPL history. Kings XI Punjab were bowled out for just 88 against Royal Challengers Bangalore — a stunning reversal that proved even the flattest surfaces cannot save a batting lineup in freefall. The collapse served as a reminder that T20 cricket's volatility respects no venue reputation. KXIP lost wickets in clusters, with no batsman reaching 25, as the RCB bowling attack exploited the early-evening conditions before dew arrived.
IPL 2011 — Holkar's Debut Season
Holkar Cricket Stadium first hosted IPL cricket in 2011, when 2 matches were played during the fourth edition of the tournament. The venue's introduction coincided with the short-lived Kochi Tuskers Kerala franchise, who used Indore as one of their neutral home grounds. The atmosphere was electric — Indore's cricket-mad fans, starved of top-level cricket, packed the 30,000-capacity stadium and established a reputation for passionate support that would draw IPL organisers back in 2017 and 2018.
What Future IPL Seasons Should Expect
Across upcoming IPL seasons, should the tournament return to Holkar Cricket Stadium, teams can expect the same fundamental equation that has defined the venue since 2011: bat-friendly surfaces, dew-dominated second innings, and a relentless advantage for sides chasing. The venue's compact dimensions (sub-65m straight, sub-60m square) mean boundary-hitting ability will remain the primary currency of success. Bowling coaches should prepare for Holkar by drilling yorker execution and wet-ball variations — the two skills that separate competent death bowling from expensive punishment on this ground. The Indore crowd's enthusiasm and the city's growing infrastructure make it a strong candidate for future IPL hosting duties, potentially as a neutral venue for multiple franchises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Holkar Cricket Stadium located and what is its capacity?
Holkar Cricket Stadium is located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India. Named after the Holkar dynasty that historically ruled the region, the ground has a seating capacity of approximately 30,000 spectators. It serves as the primary cricket venue for Madhya Pradesh and has hosted international matches, IPL fixtures, and domestic tournaments.
What is the highest IPL score at Holkar Cricket Stadium?
The highest team total at Holkar Cricket Stadium in IPL history is 245/6, scored by Kolkata Knight Riders against Kings XI Punjab on 12 May 2018. This remains one of the top 10 highest team totals in IPL history across all venues.
Is Holkar Cricket Stadium a batting or bowling pitch?
Holkar Cricket Stadium is decidedly a batting-friendly pitch. The surface offers true bounce, minimal seam movement, and limited turn for spinners. The compact boundary dimensions and fast outfield further tilt conditions in favour of batsmen. The average first-innings score across 9 IPL matches is approximately 175, confirming its reputation as a high-scoring ground.
How does dew affect chases at Holkar Cricket Stadium?
Dew plays a decisive role at Holkar. Indore's inland climate produces heavy dew from approximately the 12th over of the second innings onward. This moisture makes the ball slippery for bowlers, reducing grip for spinners and making length deliveries easier to hit. The result: 88% of teams choosing to field first after winning the toss have gone on to win the match — the highest field-first success rate of any IPL venue with 5+ matches.
Which team has the best record at Holkar Cricket Stadium in the IPL?
Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) have the most wins at Holkar with 4 victories from 7 matches, having used the venue as their secondary home ground during IPL 2017 and 2018. Mumbai Indians have the highest win percentage at the ground, winning 2 out of 3 matches (67%).
When did Holkar Cricket Stadium first host an IPL match?
Holkar Cricket Stadium first hosted IPL matches in the 2011 season, when 2 fixtures were played at the venue. The ground returned to the IPL calendar in 2017 (3 matches) and 2018 (4 matches), hosting a total of 9 IPL matches across three seasons.
Has any IPL final been played at Holkar Cricket Stadium?
No IPL final has been played at Holkar Cricket Stadium as of 2025. The venue has exclusively hosted league-stage matches during its three seasons of IPL involvement (2011, 2017, 2018). However, the ground's excellent infrastructure and Indore's passionate fanbase make it a potential candidate for playoff fixtures in future editions.