• Hundreds of dead fish float on stagnant water along the Sabarmati river behind Sardar Patel Stadium, the world's biggest cricket venue, that now stands emptu and unused in Ahmedabad. AFP
    Hundreds of dead fish float on stagnant water along the Sabarmati river behind Sardar Patel Stadium, the world's biggest cricket venue, that now stands emptu and unused in Ahmedabad. AFP
  • US President Donald Trump and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi filled the Sardar Patel Stadium in February. AFP
    US President Donald Trump and India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi filled the Sardar Patel Stadium in February. AFP
  • The Sardar Patel Stadium on the outskirts of Ahmedabad was full in February when opened by US President Donald Trump. AFP
    The Sardar Patel Stadium on the outskirts of Ahmedabad was full in February when opened by US President Donald Trump. AFP
  • The Sardar Patel Stadium, the world's biggest cricket stadium, lies empty and unused. AFP
    The Sardar Patel Stadium, the world's biggest cricket stadium, lies empty and unused. AFP
  • The newly constructed Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium. EPA
    The newly constructed Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium. EPA
  • An interior view of the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. AFP
    An interior view of the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. AFP
  • Police personnel gather in the campus of Sardar Patel Stadium, in Motera. AFP
    Police personnel gather in the campus of Sardar Patel Stadium, in Motera. AFP
  • A member of a bomb disposal squad from Gujarat Police uses a sniffer dog to scan the stands at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium. Reuters
    A member of a bomb disposal squad from Gujarat Police uses a sniffer dog to scan the stands at Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium. Reuters
  • Workers construct a stage at Sardar Patel stadium before the visit of US President Donald Trump in Ahmadabad. AP Photo
    Workers construct a stage at Sardar Patel stadium before the visit of US President Donald Trump in Ahmadabad. AP Photo
  • An interior view of the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera. AFP
    An interior view of the Sardar Patel Stadium in Motera. AFP
  • Indian policemen walk at Sardar Patel stadium ahead of the visit of US President Donald Trump. AP Photo
    Indian policemen walk at Sardar Patel stadium ahead of the visit of US President Donald Trump. AP Photo
  • The Sardar Patel Stadium is pictured in Motera, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, on February 21, 2020. AFP
    The Sardar Patel Stadium is pictured in Motera, on the outskirts of Ahmedabad, on February 21, 2020. AFP
  • Police patrol outside the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium where US President Donald Trump will deliver his speech. EPA
    Police patrol outside the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium where US President Donald Trump will deliver his speech. EPA
  • A US military helicopter flies over the Sardar Patel Gujarat stadium on February 22, 2020. Reuters
    A US military helicopter flies over the Sardar Patel Gujarat stadium on February 22, 2020. Reuters
  • Police patrol outside the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium where US President Trump will deliver his speech during an upcoming state visit to India. EPA
    Police patrol outside the Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium where US President Trump will deliver his speech during an upcoming state visit to India. EPA
  • The newly constructed Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, ahead of an upcoming state visit to India, in Ahmedabad. EPA
    The newly constructed Sardar Patel Gujarat Stadium, ahead of an upcoming state visit to India, in Ahmedabad. EPA

World's largest cricket stadium takes shape in India ahead of Donald Trump visit


Ian Oxborrow
  • English
  • Arabic

If Lord's has always been the home of cricket romantics, Australia's Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) has undoubtedly been the stadium for those who judge their sporting arenas by size.

That is about to change however, because as of this week there's set to be a new leader in the ranks of cricket's largest stadiums.

The 110,000-seat Sardar Patel Stadium will be inaugurated in Ahmedabad in India on Monday by a special guest - US President Donald Trump.

The venue, created in a bowl shape similar to the MCG and at a cost of $100 million (Dh367m), has blue and saffron seats in recognition of the Indian team and comes with four dressing rooms and a swimming pool.

A refurbished ground next to the stadium - which is on the site of the the former 49,000-capacity Motera Stadium, built in 1982 - will serve as a venue for other sports such as cricket, football and hockey.

Mr Trump, who will arrive in India on February 24, is set to share the stage for a rally at the new stadium with India Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"He (Modi) told me we’ll have 7 million people between the airport and the event," Mr Trump told reporters last week.

After the rally, Mr Trump and First Lady Melania will go to the Taj Mahal.

Below you can see the top 10 largest cricket stadiums in the world, prior to the opening of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium.