India’s cricketing legacy is deeply rooted in its historic stadiums—venues that have witnessed the evolution of the game, shaped generations of players, and hosted moments that define the nation’s sporting identity. Long before modern arenas and floodlit spectacles, these grounds served as the heartbeat of Indian cricket, blending colonial history with growing national pride. From iconic World Cup finals and record-breaking performances to landmark firsts in Indian cricket, each stadium carries stories that go far beyond the boundary ropes. Here is a list of the top five oldest stadiums in India. 1 | Eden Gardens Situated in Kolkata, West Bengal, Eden Gardens is among the most celebrated cricket venues in the world and a cornerstone of India’s sporting heritage. Founded in 1864, it is the country’s oldest cricket stadium and one of the largest, accommodating close to 68,000 spectators. Its roaring, emotionally charged crowds have earned it legendary status, with many comparing its aura to the greatest arenas in global sport. Eden Gardens has been the stage for some of cricket’s most unforgettable chapters. It hosted the 1987 World Cup final, marking the first time the tournament’s title clash was held outside England. The ground is also etched in history for the 2001 Test against Australia, where VVS Laxman’s monumental 281 powered India to a miraculous comeback win. As the home venue of the Bengal cricket team and IPL side Kolkata Knight Riders, Eden Gardens stands not just as a stadium, but as a cultural symbol that continues to shape cricketing folklore. 2 | Bombay Gymkhana Ground The Bombay Gymkhana Ground in Mumbai, inaugurated on June 19, 1875, occupies a pivotal place in the evolution of Indian sport. Crossing more than 150 years of existence by 2026, it remains one of the country’s oldest active sporting institutions. Its greatest claim to fame is hosting India’s first-ever Test match in December 1933, when the national team faced England. That historic encounter witnessed Lala Amarnath register India’s maiden Test century and was also notable for being the first Test match played on a Sunday. Originally restricted to British members, the Gymkhana temporarily relaxed its rules in 1933 to allow Indian players and spectators access for the Test. Beyond cricket, the ground has supported rugby, football and squash, and in 2002, it hosted the first international Test match for differently-abled players. Today, it stands as a protected heritage site and a prestigious multi-sport hub in South Mumbai. Read also: What are the five oldest stadiums in the world? 3 | Arun Jaitley Stadium Located in New Delhi, the Arun Jaitley Stadium is the second-oldest international cricket venue in India still in use, having been established in 1883. Known for decades as the Feroz Shah Kotla Ground—named after a nearby medieval fort—it was rechristened in 2019 in memory of former DDCA president and Union Minister Arun Jaitley. The stadium played a key role in post-independence Indian cricket by hosting the country’s first Test after 1947, against the West Indies in 1948. It has been the setting for historic milestones, including Anil Kumble’s extraordinary 10-wicket haul against Pakistan in 1999 and Sachin Tendulkar surpassing Sunil Gavaskar’s record for most Test centuries in 2005. Renowned as a fortress for India, the venue remained unbeaten in Test cricket for over 37 years. It continues to serve as the home ground for the Delhi Ranji side and IPL franchise Delhi Capitals. 4 | M. A. Chidambaram Stadium The M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, widely known as Chepauk, was established in 1916 and is the second-oldest cricket ground in India to have remained in continuous operation. Its place in history was sealed in February 1952 when India registered their first-ever Test victory, defeating England at this venue. Chepauk has since been associated with several landmark moments. It hosted the inaugural Ranji Trophy match in 1934 and witnessed only the second tied Test in cricket history during the India–Australia clash in 1986. The stadium is famous for its informed and respectful spectators, exemplified by the standing ovation given to Pakistan’s Saeed Anwar after his iconic 194 in a 1997 ODI. In modern times, it has seen Virender Sehwag’s rapid Test triple century in 2008 and Karun Nair’s historic 300 in 2016. As the home of Chennai Super Kings, Chepauk remains deeply woven into India’s cricketing identity. 5 | Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground (Old) Established in 1929, the old Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground in Nagpur—commonly known as the Civil Lines ground—is among India’s ten oldest cricket venues. For nearly eight decades, it functioned as Nagpur’s primary international stadium before the focus shifted to the Jamtha Stadium in 2008. The ground holds a special place in Indian cricket history for becoming the first venue in Central India to introduce turf wickets in 1951, challenging widespread doubts due to the region’s extreme climate. It was here that Chetan Sharma claimed the first hat-trick in Cricket World Cup history during the 1987 tournament. The same World Cup also saw Sunil Gavaskar score his only ODI century at this venue, against New Zealand. In total, the ground hosted nine Tests and 14 ODIs, including Australia’s 2004 win that secured their first Test series victory in India in 35 years. Today, it continues to serve domestic cricket and regional development programs.