Taking a 1-0 lead in the ongoing three-match ODI series versus South Africa, India will now travel to Chattisgarh to play their second ODI at the Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium (SVNSI) on December 3. Also known as the Nava Raipur Stadium, SVNSI Stadium will be hosting their second international ODI match on Dec 3, after their first in January 2021, hosting the New Zealand vs India ODI match. A stadium built with purpose and pride The Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium, located in Nava Raipur, Chhattisgarh, stands as one of India’s most impressive cricketing structures. Construction began in 2006 and the stadium was completed in 2008 with the intention of giving the state a world-class cricket venue that could host national as well as international fixtures. It was built at a cost of around ₹145 crore, symbolising Chhattisgarh’s desire to establish itself firmly on India’s cricket map. The stadium is named after Veer Narayan Singh Binjhwar, a prominent tribal freedom fighter who led the 1857 uprising in Chhattisgarh. The venue therefore carries both sporting ambition and historical significance, making it more than just an arena for cricket. What makes the stadium unique? The most striking feature of the stadium is its enormous size. With a seating capacity of 65,000, it is officially the third-largest cricket stadium in India, after the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This massive capacity also places it at the fourth place among the largest cricket stadiums in the world. Top five largest cricket stadiums in the world Rank Stadium Location Seating Capacity 1 Narendra Modi Stadium Ahmedabad, India 132,000 2 Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) Melbourne, Australia 100,024 3 Eden Gardens Kolkata, India 68,000 4 Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Cricket Stadium Naya Raipur / Raipur, India 65,000 5 Perth Stadium (Optus Stadium) Perth, Australia 61,266 Its field is equally grand: the playing area measures 180 yards by 160 yards, and the boundary distance sits close to 80 metres, extending up to 84 metres in some directions. These long boundaries challenge batters to rely on placement and timing instead of raw power, making it one of India’s most demanding outfields. Another highlight is the BCCI recognition it received — the stadium was awarded Best Pitch and Best Ground in the Central Zone for the 2017–18 domestic season, reflecting the quality of its playing surfaces and maintenance standards. Why was it constructed? Before this venue existed, Chhattisgarh had no major international-standard cricket stadium. The state government wanted an infrastructure project that would boost sports development, attract international teams, and generate local economic activity. The stadium thus became a centrepiece of the new planned city of Nava Raipur. Over the years, it has hosted IPL matches, Champions League T20 games and, more recently, full-fledged international cricket, helping the region gain visibility. Read also: Why Multiple IPL Teams Will Target Liam Livingstone in the 2026 Mini Auction Pitch report and playing conditions The pitch at this venue is known to offer a balanced contest. Batters generally get value for their strokes because the ball comes nicely onto the bat. At the same time, the sheer size of the ground acts as a natural check on aggressive hitting. Bowlers—both pacers and spinners—find opportunities as the match progresses, especially when the pitch begins to offer grip or seam. The even nature of the wicket is one of the reasons it earned BCCI’s award for best pitch in the Central Zone. The stadium is equipped with full floodlights, making it ideal for day-night ODIs, T20Is and IPL matches. Read also: How a JSCA–Tata Steel dispute built Ranchi’s stadium Matches and milestones The venue’s first-ever match was in 2010 between Canada and the Chhattisgarh state team. It served as a secondary home for the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals) in the IPL during the 2013 season. It also hosted fixtures during the 2014 edition of the Champions League T20. The stadium made its ODI debut on 21 January 2023, when India defeated New Zealand by 8 wickets. It hosted its first T20 International in December 2023. Despite its size and infrastructure, the stadium is yet to host a Test match, though discussions and redevelopment plans indicate that this may soon change However, the recent 30-year lease to the state cricket association and planned upgrades could turn it into a regular international venue—including for Test matches.