Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur Pitch Report — IPL Stats, Records, Highest Scores

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium in Naya Raipur, Chhattisgarh, stands as one of India's most imposing cricket arenas. With a seating capacity of 65,000, it ranks as the third-largest cricket stadium in India and fourth-largest in the world — a staggering figure for a venue that has hosted just 6 IPL matches across three seasons (2013, 2015, 2016). That scarcity is precisely what makes Raipur fascinating: every match played here carries outsized weight in the statistical record, and the venue's return to IPL duty in 2026 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Phase 2 home ground has injected fresh intrigue into one of the tournament's most underused venues.

Across those 6 IPL encounters, teams collectively scored 1,741 runs from 232.4 overs at an overall strike rate of 124.71 — averaging 290 runs per innings. Batters hammered 161 fours and 44 sixes, confirming Raipur's reputation as a ground where bat dominates ball once the initial movement fades. The venue first hosted an IPL match on 28 April 2013, when the Delhi Daredevils beat Pune Warriors by 15 runs, becoming the 19th ground in IPL history.

Pitch Behaviour & Character

The Raipur pitch is fundamentally a batting-friendly surface. The black-soil base provides decent bounce and true carry, rewarding batters who commit to their shots. Fast bowlers find assistance with the new ball during the first 3–4 overs — there is enough seam movement and carry to trouble top-order batters who play tentatively. However, as the match progresses, the pitch flattens out considerably, and the bounce becomes predictable.

Spinners find limited purchase during the middle overs. Unlike subcontinental turning tracks in Chennai or Kolkata, Raipur offers minimal turn off the surface. Wrist spinners may extract some grip, but finger spinners typically struggle to generate sharp bite. The average first-innings score of approximately 145 across IPL matches here (in an era when 160+ is the T20 norm) suggests the pitch is competitive rather than a flat road — bowlers who hit good areas consistently are rewarded.

The venue sits at an altitude of approximately 300 metres above sea level in central India. Raipur's hot, dry climate means conditions are typically similar in day and night games during the March–May IPL window. However, dew becomes a significant factor in evening matches. As temperatures drop after sunset, moisture settles on the outfield and ball, making it difficult for bowlers to grip deliveries in the second innings. This dew factor has historically tilted the advantage toward teams chasing under lights.

Boundary dimensions at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium are fairly standard — approximately 65–70 metres on most sides — meaning power hitters do not enjoy unusually short boundaries. The expansive 65,000-seat bowl creates a cauldron-like atmosphere that amplifies crowd energy, which has historically been an advantage for the designated home team.

Historical Record Table

Toss & Chase Psychology

The toss data from Raipur tells an intriguing story. Across 6 IPL matches, the decision was split evenly — captains chose to bat first 3 times and field first 3 times. Teams that won the toss and elected to field won 67% of those matches (2 out of 3), while teams choosing to bat first after winning the toss won just 33% (1 out of 3).

This field-first preference aligns with the dew factor analysis. Raipur's hot, dry afternoons give way to cooler, dew-laden evenings. Captains who have won the toss here have increasingly recognised that bowling first — exploiting whatever early seam movement exists, then chasing under dew — offers a tangible advantage. With the ball becoming slippery in the second innings, bowlers struggle to execute yorkers and slower balls, making death bowling considerably harder.

That said, the sample size of 6 matches warrants caution. Unlike Wankhede (100+ IPL matches) or Chepauk (70+), Raipur's toss statistics carry wide confidence intervals. A team batting first with a strong total of 170+ could still defend successfully, particularly if dew is less pronounced on a given evening.

Most Successful Teams at Raipur

The Delhi Capitals — then playing as Delhi Daredevils — dominated Raipur with a remarkable 4 wins from 6 matches (66.7% win rate). This was by design: Raipur was Delhi's designated second home venue from 2013 onwards, and the franchise leveraged familiarity with conditions to build what amounted to a mini-fortress. For context, Delhi's overall IPL win percentage across all venues during this period hovered around 40%, making their Raipur record a significant statistical outlier.

The Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru each managed a single win from 2 appearances. Chennai Super Kings notably lost both their visits — including the match that produced the venue's lowest IPL total of 119, when they were bowled out chasing against Delhi in May 2015.

Memorable Matches & Moments

The Inauguration: Delhi Daredevils vs Pune Warriors (28 April 2013)

Raipur's IPL debut was a statement of intent. Delhi Daredevils posted the venue's highest-ever IPL total of 164, powered by aggressive batting in the powerplay. The Pune Warriors, a franchise that would be terminated after 2013, managed 149 in reply. The 15-run Delhi victory in front of a near-capacity Chhattisgarh crowd established Raipur as a venue where the home team held sway. The match was the 19th unique venue in IPL history, adding Chhattisgarh to the IPL map for the first time.

CSK's Raipur Nightmare (12 May 2015)

Chennai Super Kings arrived in Raipur as one of the strongest squads in the 2015 season. What followed was a batting collapse that produced the venue's lowest IPL total — 119 all out. Delhi's bowling attack, acclimatised to the conditions through prior experience, dismantled CSK's middle order on a pitch offering just enough for the seamers. The match remains a case study in how unfamiliarity with a secondary venue can undo even the most experienced IPL squads.

The Sunrisers Breakthrough (2016)

Sunrisers Hyderabad, the 2016 champions, claimed one of their early-season wins at Raipur during that title-winning campaign. With David Warner in devastating form and the bowling attack of Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Mustafizur Rahman at its peak, SRH demonstrated that Raipur's batting-friendly surface could be neutralised by world-class pace bowling at the top. Their victory here was a building block in what became a dominant march to the title.

What 2026–2030 IPL Seasons Should Expect

Raipur's return to the IPL in 2026 as Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Phase 2 home venue — hosting at least two matches (Match 54: RCB vs MI on 10 May 2026, and Match 57: RCB vs KKR on 13 May 2026) — marks the first IPL cricket at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in a decade. The ground has undergone upgrades to its floodlighting and broadcast infrastructure since 2016, but the fundamental pitch character is unlikely to have changed dramatically.

Across upcoming IPL seasons, teams visiting Raipur will need to account for three factors: the dew-heavy evening conditions that favour chasing, the initial seam movement that rewards new-ball accuracy, and the vast 65,000-seat capacity that generates an atmosphere few Indian grounds can match. RCB's decision to use Raipur as a home venue could prove strategically astute — the franchise's pace-heavy bowling attack is well-suited to exploiting the conditions, and RCB's batting lineup will relish the true bounce once they survive the new-ball challenge. With the BCCI expanding the IPL calendar and rotating venues across more cities, Raipur's modern infrastructure and passionate Chhattisgarh fanbase make it a strong candidate for continued IPL hosting beyond 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium located and what is its capacity?

The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium is located in Naya Raipur (also called Nava Raipur Atal Nagar), the new capital area of Chhattisgarh, India. It has a seating capacity of 65,000, making it the third-largest cricket stadium in India after the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad (132,000) and Eden Gardens in Kolkata (68,000), and the fourth-largest cricket ground in the world.

What is the highest IPL score at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium, Raipur?

The highest team total in an IPL match at Raipur is 164, scored by the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) against Pune Warriors on 28 April 2013 — the venue's inaugural IPL fixture. Across all 6 IPL innings played at the ground, teams averaged 290 runs per completed innings at a strike rate of 124.71.

Is Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium a batting or bowling pitch?

The Raipur pitch is predominantly batting-friendly. The black-soil surface offers true bounce and consistent carry, favouring batters once the initial seam movement subsides after the powerplay. Fast bowlers find assistance with the new ball in the first 3–4 overs, but spinners typically struggle to generate significant turn. The overall strike rate of 124.71 across IPL matches confirms that run-scoring is generally comfortable.

How does dew affect chases at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium?

Dew is a significant factor at Raipur, particularly during evening matches in the April–May window. As temperatures drop after sunset, moisture settles on the outfield and ball, making it difficult for bowlers to grip deliveries in the second innings. Historically, teams winning the toss and choosing to field first have won 67% of matches at this venue, reflecting the chase-friendly conditions created by dew.

Which team has the best record at Raipur in the IPL?

Delhi Capitals (previously Delhi Daredevils) hold the best IPL record at Raipur with 4 wins from 6 matches — a 66.7% win rate. Raipur served as Delhi's designated second home venue from 2013 to 2016, and the franchise's familiarity with conditions gave them a significant advantage. Delhi's IPL win rate at Raipur was approximately 25 percentage points higher than their overall IPL win rate during the same period.

When did the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium first host an IPL match?

The venue hosted its first IPL match on 28 April 2013, when Delhi Daredevils defeated Pune Warriors by 15 runs. It became the 19th unique venue in IPL history. The stadium went on to host 2 matches each in IPL 2013, 2015, and 2016 before a decade-long absence from the tournament.

Will Raipur host IPL matches in 2026 and beyond?

Yes. Raipur is confirmed as a Phase 2 venue for IPL 2026, serving as a home ground for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. At least two matches are scheduled: RCB vs MI (10 May 2026) and RCB vs KKR (13 May 2026). The venue's modern infrastructure, massive 65,000 capacity, and the BCCI's policy of expanding IPL across more Indian cities make Raipur a strong candidate for continued hosting in future IPL seasons.