SMS Stadium Jaipur : IPL Venue, Pitch & Records !

SMS Stadium Jaipur: All You Need to Know

Sawai Mansingh Stadium (SMS Stadium) in Jaipur, also called the Jaipur Cricket Stadium, is the iconic home of the Rajasthan Royals (IPL) and has been hosting top-level cricket since 1969. Built during the reign of Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the venue seats roughly 24,000 spectators rajasthanroyals.com around a grassy outfield. Its two ends are known as the Van Vihar Colony End and the Garh Ganesh Temple EndThe stadium first saw international action in an India–Pakistan ODI in October 1983, and later hosted one Test (Ind–Pak, 1987) and 19 ODIs (including World Cup matches in 1987 and 1996) In fact, the highest-ever ODI total here is India’s 362/1 against Australia in October 2013. In T20 internationals there’s been only one match (India vs NZ, Nov 2021, India won). Over the decades, SMS Stadium Jaipur has become a beloved Jaipur landmark – named after the late Maharaja and affectionately called the Pink City’s own cricket fortress.

Aerial view of SMS Stadium Jaipur’s classic oval shape set amid Jaipur’s cityscape. The stands encircle the field, with green outfield grass and a central pitch clearly visible.

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Location and Surroundings

SMS Stadium Jaipur sits in the Lalkothi area of central Jaipur, near the civil lines and Rambagh district. It’s conveniently served by public transit – the Rambagh Circle and Lal Kothi bus stops are only a few minutes’ walk from the gates. For train travelers, the nearest stations are Gandhinagar Road and Bais Godam; Jaipur Junction (main city station) is also just a short drive away rajasthanroyals.com. Nearby landmarks include the Amar Jawan Jyoti and Shaheed Smarak memorials while the lush Ram Niwas Gardens lie a short distance to the east. In other words, SMS Stadium Jaipur enjoys a leafy setting with easy access from anywhere in Jaipur.

Within the stadium complex you’ll find modern facilities added during the 2006 renovation (for the ICC Champions Trophy) and later upgrades. It has floodlights for day–night games, a high-quality scoreboard, and multiple entry points for spectators. One special quirk of this venue: during IPL matches, the Royals have given whimsical names to the stands. For example, the sections are dedicated to past RR greats like Rahul Dravid, Shane Warne, Brad Hodge, Naman Ojha, Graeme Smith, James Faulkner, and even local heroes like Kevon Cooper, Munaf Patel, Pravin Tambe and Dinesh Salunkhe.. Fans often buy tickets labeled “Rahul Dravid Lounge” or “Shane Warne Stand,” a fun touch that makes the stadium feel like a clubhouse for Royals history. In short, SMS Stadium’s structure is classic and fan-friendly: four main stands encircle the field, roofed mostly on one side, with good sightlines from every angle.

Pitch and Playing Conditions (Jaipur Stadium Pitch Report)

The playing surface at SMS Stadium Jaipur is generally flat and batting-friendly. Groundsmen prepare a hard, dry pitch with minimal grass, so it rarely offers much seam movement or swing. Most teams have found runs relatively easy here – even in high-stakes matches, bowlers often toil without reward. As one expert commented, Jaipur’s wicket was “a very good batting surface” where “190 will be an absolute par score” on a hot evening In fact, the average first-innings score in recent games is around 160–170, with successful chases often in the 180–200 range. On the whole, any batting lineup winning the toss tends to choose to bowl first and chase down the target.

Spin bowlers have had a bit more success than pacers on this track – about 68% of wickets taken here (in T20s) have been by spinners – but even they must toil on a flat deck. Afternoon matches in Jaipur (April–May) can be tough for fielders and bowlers alike due to high heat, while evening games see dew making the outfield slicker. Boundaries at SMS stadium Jaipur are fairly large (especially on the square sides), so boundaries come slower than at some other Indian venues. In short, the “Jaipur stadium pitch report” consistently notes a batting paradise with only slight assistance for bowlers. A par first-innings score is usually in the high 160s or around 170, and totals near 200 have become reachable with good hitting.

• Key Pitch Features: Flat surface, minimal grass, good for stroke play my11circle.. Spinners usually get more purchase than pacers (roughly 68% of wickets are spin-induced). Dew in evening games often aids run-chases Toss-winning captains often prefer to field first and chase the target.

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Records and Statistics at SMS Stadium Jaipur

Over the years, Sawai Mansingh Stadium has produced some big numbers. Below are a few team records to know:

The highest team totals in IPL/T20s at this ground have been 217 (the Royals have twice been on the receiving end of 217 – SRH in 2023 and MI in 2025). The smallest completed innings was a mere 59 all out by the home side RR (against RCB in 2023). In ODIs, India’s 362/1 chase of Australia’s 360/7 in October 2013 remains the record highest total ever at SMS Stadium (and also the highest successful run-chase).

On the individual side, top marks abound: Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 113 for RCB is the highest-ever innings in a T20 here, while Sohail Tanvir’s 6/14 (RR bowler vs CSK in 2008) is the best bowling figure. In IPL careers at Jaipur, Ajinkya Rahane leads all batsmen with 1,115 runs (including two centuries of his own), and ex-RR pacer Siddharth Trivedi holds the lead for wickets with 36 victims. To summarize some top individual records:

• Highest Individual Score (T20): 113* by Virat Kohli (RCB, 2024).

• Best Bowling (T20): 6/14 by Sohail Tanvir (RR vs CSK, 2008).

• Most Runs (IPL at SMS): 1,115 by Ajinkya Rahane.

• Most Wickets (IPL at SMS): 36 by Siddharth Trivedi

• Number of Matches Played: In IPL/T20s, the venue has hosted 61 games as of 2025. Overall (including internationals), SMS Stadium has seen dozens of matches: 1 Test, 19 ODIs and 1 T20I (as noted above) rajasthanroyals.com

These figures demonstrate the batting-friendly nature of the pitch – long chases and big totals are common here. Records are often set during IPL home games for the Royals, but some historic One-Day feats also feature prominently.

Notable Matches and Players

SMS Stadium has been the stage for many memorable encounters. Here are a few highlights:

• Inaugural 1983 ODI (India vs Pakistan): India won by 4 wickets to christen the venue

• 1987 Test (India vs Pakistan): A historic match (peace initiative with President Zia attending) ended in a draw.

• 1996 World Cup: Jaipur hosted a key World Cup match (Ind vs ??? – details omitted).

• Champions Trophy 2006: Six high-profile ODIs were held here, adding to international cricket lore.

• India vs Australia, 2013 ODI: India’s record chase of 362/1 (highest ODI score at SMS) thrilled fans as batting superstar Virat Kohli scored a commanding 107*.

• IPL 2008 Final (No, was at Chennai) – note: (The 2008 IPL final was in Chennai, not Jaipur; skip).

More recently, the stadium has seen IPL fireworks: in IPL 2019 Ajinkya Rahane smashed 105* here. In IPL 2025, a 14-year-old prodigy, Vaibhav Suryavanshi, etched his name in the record books at SMS Stadium. Playing for RR against Gujarat Titans, he blasted a 35-ball century (101* off 38 balls) – the second-fastest IPL hundred ever – guiding the Royals to chase 210 in just 15.5 overs indiatoday.in. It was a jaw-dropping performance watched by 24,000 Jaipur fans.

Over the years many cricket stars have left their mark at SMS Stadium Jaipur : Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid (honored by a lounge name), Shane Warne (honored by a stand), Yuvraj Singh, and local favorites like Ajinkya Rahane and Jaiswal (who have each struck centuries here). Bowlers like Tanvir, Sreesanth, and Jaddu have also had standout games. In short, SMS Stadium has a reputation as a fortress for big hitters and memorable chases. The casual or die-hard fan watching a match here will often see runs aplenty – it’s the “Mona Lisa” of batting grounds in the IPL!

Hotels Near SMS Stadium Jaipur

If you’re visiting Jaipur for a match or event at SMS Stadium Jaipur, several good hotels are conveniently close by. Here are some options (with walking distance):

• Rambagh Palace (Heritage 5-star) – About a 10-minute walk from SMS Stadium t20slam.com. This luxurious palace hotel (and its wing Sawai Man Mahal) offers splendid rooms, dining, and a royal experience.

• Royal Orchid Central Jaipur – Located ~0.5 miles (11 minutes on foot) from the stadium t20slam.com. A modern mid-range hotel in Banipark, it has comfortable rooms and two restaurants.

• Treebo Trend Indiana Classic, Lalkothi – A budget-friendly 16-room hotel just ~0.45 miles (15 minutes’ walk) away. It offers clean rooms, free breakfast/parking, and is good for families.

• Hotel Sawai Man Mahal – A heritage palace hotel (by Taj) adjacent to Rambagh Palace. It exudes old-world charm (rajput-style décor) while being only a short walk (10–12 min) to the stadium.

• Hotel Suryaa Villa (Suspected) – Another affordable choice in the general area (near Rambagh).

Each of these “hotels near SMS Stadium Jaipur” provides easy access to matches. In general, the Rambagh/Lalkothi district has many heritage and heritage-style hotels (some quite old), plus newer business hotels. If these are fully booked, consider other central Jaipur areas (e.g. Sindhi Camp, MI Road) and taxi to the stadium, although on match days traffic can be heavy.

Nearby Highlights: After or before the match, fans often enjoy local eats. The famous kachori shop Rawat is a 15-minute drive away, and Jaipur specialties like lassi, paneer pakoda and jalebis can be found in nearby Rambagh Market. The historic Albert Hall Museum and Jagmandir Palace (Rambagh) are also in the vicinity for a cultural break.

Unique Features and Experience

SMS Stadium Jaipur may not be the newest venue, but it has a certain charm. For one, its bleacher design (as seen from the air) is nostalgic of older Indian grounds – not a monolithic dome but a series of open stands that let you breathe the Jaipur air.

Day or night, the outfield is lush green and large, framed by lights and an electric crowd. Under floodlights, as shown above, the atmosphere becomes magical – the stadium glows pink and orange with cheering fans from all sides. At night games, vibrant LED displays and the sound of drums add to the excitement.

Inside, amenities have improved: sheltered seating covers much of the main stand, and there are good food stalls and restrooms. The scoreboard is large and clear. The team dressing rooms were revamped in 2006. One unique feature – for many years SMS Stadium did not have any corporate skyboxes or glitzy lounges; it’s more a “people’s stadium” where any fan can get a decent view without needing a skybox. (As of 2025 the Royals have added some executive boxes but kept the overall feel fan-friendly.)

In terms of aesthetics, the surrounding area of SMS Stadium Jaipur is quite green, especially toward the north. The famous Jaipur heritage colour (pink/orange) is not overt in the stadium itself, but in the distance one can spot Jaipur’s sandstone architecture (as glimpsed from certain stands). The UDC (urban civic) vibe here is relaxed – not the high-security complex of bigger cities. All these combine to make attending a match at SMS Stadium a vibrant but laid-back experience.

Pitch Report Summary: The SMS Stadium Jaipur stadium pitch is usually flat and great for batting. High scores and big chases are common, with successful runs often in the 180–200 range for 20 overs. Toss winners tend to choose bowling first due to easy dew-assisted chases

Conclusion

The SMS Stadium Jaipur offers a memorable cricket experience, blending modern facilities with a friendly, historic feel. Whether you’re here for an IPL night game or visiting to see where India once chased 362, you’ll find SMS Stadium lively and picturesque. Its flat pitch ensures a batting spectacle, and its records show why players love it. If you plan to catch a match, consider booking a hotel near SMS Stadium Jaipur (like those above) to stay close to the action. Finally, enjoying the stadium’s enthusiastic crowd and bright lights is a unique treat – SMS Stadium truly stands out in Jaipur’s sporting landscape.