Barsapara Stadium: Pitch Report, Location, Facilities and Upcoming Matches

One of India’s liveliest and most up-to-date cricket stadiums is Barsapara Stadium, also called Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium. Situated in Guwahati, Assam, it has been instrumental in enhancing Northeast India’s athletic culture and has emerged as a major venue for both domestic and international cricket. With first-rate amenities, stunning architecture, and a lively local atmosphere, the stadium has swiftly emerged as one of the top destinations for both international teams and cricket fans.

Barsapara Cricket Stadium: Overview

Barsapara Cricket Stadium: History

Then-chief minister Tarun Gogoi set the stadium’s foundation stone in June 2004. In July 2007, he also put the clubhouse and Barsapara Cricket Stadium stands’ foundation stones in front of Niranjan Shah, the BCCI secretary at the time.

The state government gave the Assam Cricket Association 59 acres of land, and in 2006, after removing some encroachers, the association began development on the property. At first, the stadium served as a landfill. Officials from the Assam Cricket Association expressed optimism in 2009 that they would be able to finish the stadium’s remaining construction within a year and have it up to international standards.

Assam vs. Odisha in the East Zone Senior Women’s Interstate One Day Championship was the first game played on this stadium field on November 4, 2012.

Architecture 

The architecture of Barsapara Stadium is a contemporary and inventive wonder that successfully combines structural soundness, earthquake resistance, and spectator comfort. Notably, it is the first cricket stadium in India to be built with unitized steel decking and a structural steel frame, a design decision that offers strength and flexibility, both of which are essential in Guwahati, Assam, an area prone to earthquakes.

Numerous sports and recreational facilities are integrated within the stadium complex thanks to the architectural design’s extensive modern amenities. In addition to the cricket arena, there is a clubhouse located north of the plot with amenities like a swimming pool, tennis courts, restaurants, a bar, squash courts and badminton courts.

With four distinct stands, the stadium can accommodate about 50,000 spectators. It was designed by Shashi Prabhu and Associates. These stands’ steeply rising galleries, which are comparatively unusual for stadiums of this size, help to maximize the number of seats available while guaranteeing that every fan has an unhindered view of the field. The stadium’s covered seating improves overall comfort by shielding spectators from the sun and rain.

Ownership and Management

The Assam Cricket Association (ACA), which is in charge of all cricket-related and event-related activities, owns and runs the stadium. Its transformation from a neighborhood pitch to a venue with global renown is evidence of tenacious investment, capable leadership, and Assamese hospitality.

Barsapara Cricket Stadium Pitch Report and Climate Conditions

It is well known that the ground at Barsapara Cricket Stadium is conducive to batting. Generally speaking, the surface has good bounce and velocity, which lets hitters play freely, particularly early in the game. The pitch may slow down a little as the game goes on, but it is still good for batting and is therefore perfect for high-scoring games. To take wickets, bowlers will need to use strategy, particularly later in the game.

The team that wins the toss at Barsapara Cricket Stadium will probably choose to bowl first. Teams may opt to pursue a target rather than set one, as the statistics show that teams bowling first have a minor advantage. Consequently, it appears that captains who win the toss prefer to bowl first.

The weather at Barsapara Cricket Stadium is usually hot and muggy, with an average relative humidity of 81%. Rainfall is frequent in some months, and the year-round warmth and high humidity are characteristics of the climate.

Barsapara International Cricket Stadium Location and Accessibility

The stadium, which is located in Guwahati, Assam’s Barsapara neighborhood, is ideally positioned to accommodate both locals and supporters from neighboring states and nations. Barsapara is now a bustling center to its location, which is near public transport and accessible by major roads.

The stadium has good access to Guwahati city’s roads and public transportation. Fans can easily commute from various locations because it is reachable via the main arterial roads that connect Guwahati’s major areas. Many city buses, autorickshaws, and app-based taxi services run routes that pass near the stadium.

Public Transport

• Regular routes that stop close to Barsapara Stadium are offered by Guwahati’s public bus system. The stadium is directly connected to the city’s central, northern, and southern regions by these buses.

• Taxis and autorickshaws are readily available for last-mile connectivity from major transportation hubs, providing quick and flexible transit choices.

• The closest airport, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, is about 20 to 25 minutes’ drive from the stadium, making it easier for out-of-town and foreign guests to arrive.

Parking Facility

For those who decide to drive, the stadium offers easy access thanks to its large parking lots, which can hold several hundred cars. There are well-organized open parking lots as well as VIP and media parking areas. Effective traffic management procedures are put in place on game days to prevent congestion near the stadium.

Facilities for Players and Fans

Facilities for Players

• Modern dressing rooms

• Indoor practice nets and full-length outdoor wickets

• On-site gym and physiotherapy areas

• Swimming pool and dedicated relaxation zones

Fan Amenities

• Roomy, cosy seats with lots of legroom

• Many food courts offering both local and foreign cuisine

• Dispersed restrooms and drinking water sources

• Strong accessibility features, such as ramps and seating for people with disabilities

• VIP enclosures, women, and families

Hospitality

• Luxurious corporate suites and VIP boxes

• Advanced fields in event planning and hospitality

• VIP lounges for dignitaries and notable visitors

• Real-time digital updates in a media centre

Major Matches Played at the Barsapara Stadium

India vs Australia, 2017

Little-known Australian left-arm bowler Jason Behrendorff (4/21 in 4) ripped through the Indian top order in the home team’s first international encounter at the Barsapara Stadium, making it a nightmare. In the end, India was removed for 118, a goal that the Australians easily reached.

India vs West Indies, 2018

The venue hosted India and West Indies’ first One-Day International in October 2018 . Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scored 140 runs off 107 balls and 152 not out of 117 respectively, powering the home side to an 8 wicket victory while chasing 323.

India vs England (Women’s), 2019

In March 2019 the stadium hosted three Twenty20 Internationals between India Women and England Women, the host team winning the series 3-0.

Records

• The career-defining T20I spell of Jason Behrendorff (4 wickets in the first T20I)

• The game-winning combination of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma against the West Indies

• Top team scores and distinctive final-ball outcomes in domestic and IPL competitions

ODI

T20I

1st Match and Cricketing Significance

Domestic Debut

The East Zone Senior Women’s One-Day Championship between Assam and Odisha in November 2012 was the first official game played here. This created the foundation for the ground’s increasing significance.

International Debut

On October 10, 2017, India played Australia in Barsapara’s first international Twenty20 match. With more than 38,000 spectators, Australia prevailed in this match, launching Northeast India into the world’s top cricket leagues.

Barsapara Stadium in IPL Franchise Home Ground

The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) Stadium, known as the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium or Barsapara Stadium has been a venue for the Indian Premier League (IPL) since 2023. The Rajasthan Royals are using it as a secondary home ground, and hosting some of their home matches here, as a means to promote the game in the Northeast of India.

Upcoming Matches

Next season Barsapara will be the venue for several domestic finals, women’s internationals and IPL games, one of the busiest in the northeast of the country. The country itself is a buzzing center of cricket right now as it prepares for the international events, and is negotiating to host bilateral men’s and women’s series.

Barsapara Stadium’s Comparison with Other Stadiums

Below is the comparison of Barsapara Stadium with some of the most famous stadiums in the country.

Barsapara stands out from more traditional but less contemporary venues due to its distinct regional significance and emphasis on sustainability and accessibility. It has established itself alongside India’s elite thanks to its combination of top-notch infrastructure and a fervent local following.

Conclusion

Another example of the advancement of cricket infrastructure in the region, is the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium, aka Barsapara Stadium. Their rapid transformation from an empty field to a world center of sport has put Assam on the map, nurtured new talent, and united fans across the region. It will remain a part of cricket’s ongoing progress by staging more historic matches and breaking more records while offering fans a chance at state-of-the-art, affordable amenities and welcoming technology into the game. It accomplishes this not solely by being a physical location for a game, but an historical and aspirational location for that game.

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