Holkar Cricket StadiumIndore
Short answer: Indore's Holkar Stadium is one of the smallest international grounds in India, with square boundaries listed at only about 56 metres. Virender Sehwag made 219 in an ODI here. Its first ODI was in 2006 and its first Test in 2016. Evening dew is moderate in our data and almost absent in February and March, so high scores, not dew, are the defining feature.
Ground facts
- City
- Indore
- Capacity
- About 30,000 (as cited on Wikipedia)
- Established
- First ODI 2006 (formerly Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground; renamed 2010)
- Ends
- —
- Association
- Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association
- First international
- ODI: India vs England, 15 Apr 2006
Background
The ground was formerly known as the Maharani Usharaje Trust Cricket Ground. In 2010 the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association renamed it after the Holkar dynasty, which ruled Indore State and gave the land. The Holkar team won the Ranji Trophy four times, three of those in the late 1940s and early 1950s on part of this site. The stadium is also the association's headquarters.
- First ODI: India vs England, 15 April 2006. India chased 289 to complete a 5–0 series win.
- First T20I: India vs Sri Lanka, 22 December 2017.
- First Test: India vs New Zealand, from 8 October 2016.
- Virender Sehwag's 219 against the West Indies in December 2011 was made here.
- India's unbeaten run at the ground ended in October 2022, when South Africa won a T20I by 49 runs.
Indore had an older international venue too: the Nehru Stadium, used until 2001.
Why the size matters
With square boundaries listed at around 56 metres, mis-hits clear the rope that would be caught at bigger grounds. Expect high totals in white-ball cricket and expensive figures for bowlers who miss their length. Long straight hits are still possible to defend, so bowlers tend to aim straighter.
What the weather data says
Indore sits on the Malwa plateau, and its winter evenings are drier than the Gangetic plain. In our sample, about 36% of October evenings met our dew-risk threshold, falling to 9% in November, around 27–30% in December and January, and essentially zero in February and March.
Fantasy angle (our general view)
On a small ground, batters from both sides carry value, and bowlers who take wickets (rather than those who just keep it tight) are the ones who score fantasy points. Death bowlers who concede heavily can cost you more here. See batting order and fantasy points and how to pick bowlers.
Evening conditions by month (Oct–Mar)
| Month | 3 pm temp | 10 pm temp | 10 pm humidity | 10 pm dew-point gap | Dew-risk evenings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct | 29.5°C | 22.6°C | 70% | 6.3°C | 36% |
| Nov | 28.3°C | 20.1°C | 55% | 9.5°C | 9% |
| Dec | 25.5°C | 17.7°C | 66% | 6.7°C | 27% |
| Jan | 24.5°C | 16.3°C | 69% | 6.0°C | 30% |
| Feb | 28.9°C | 20.1°C | 48% | 11.9°C | 0% |
| Mar | 33.3°C | 24.8°C | 32% | 19.0°C | 1% |
Our calculation from hourly Open-Meteo ERA5 reanalysis data, October to March of five seasons (2021-22 to 2025-26). "Dew-risk evenings" = share of evenings where the 10 pm air temperature was within 4°C of the dew point. Reanalysis describes the surrounding ~25–30 km area, not the outfield, and is an indicator, not a forecast. Open-Meteo
FAQ
How big are the boundaries at Indore?
Wikipedia lists the square boundaries at only about 56 metres, which makes it one of the smallest international grounds in India. Ropes are set per match, so check on the day.
When was the first Test at Indore?
India vs New Zealand, starting 8 October 2016. It became India's 22nd Test venue.
Is dew a factor in Indore?
Sometimes. In our five-season sample, about 36% of October evenings and around 27–30% of December and January evenings met the dew-risk threshold, but almost none in February and March.