The Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur holds a special place in Indian cricket history. Located in the heart of the “Pink City,” this venue serves as the home ground for Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League. With IPL 2026 on the horizon, fans eagerly wait to witness more thrilling encounters at this iconic stadium.
The stadium got its name from Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II, the former ruler of Jaipur. Since the IPL began in 2008, this ground has hosted some of the most exciting matches in the tournament’s history. The passionate crowd and electric atmosphere make every game here a memorable experience.
Stadium Overview and Key Details
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium stands as one of India’s oldest cricket venues. The ground offers a unique blend of history and modern cricket facilities.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Established | 1969 |
| Location | Jaipur, Rajasthan |
| Capacity | 30,000 |
| IPL Matches Hosted | 63 |
| First IPL Match | April 21, 2008 |
| Home Team | Rajasthan Royals |
| Highest Score | 219/5 by PBKS |
| Lowest Score | 59 by RR |
The stadium made its international debut in 1983 when India played Pakistan in an ODI match. It also hosted a memorable Test match in 1987, where Pakistan President General Zia-ul-Haq attended the game as part of his “Cricket for Peace” initiative.
Pitch Report: What Makes Jaipur Special
The pitch at Sawai Mansingh Stadium offers a fair contest between bat and ball. The surface tends to favor teams batting second.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Win Trend | Over 64% of matches won by teams batting second |
| Avg. 1st Innings Score | Approximately 165 runs |
| Bowling Support | Early help for pace; grip and turn for spinners as game progresses |
| Scoring Nature | Low-scoring venue; 200+ runs scored only eight times |
| Straight Boundary | Approximately 75 meters |
| Square Boundary | Approximately 72 meters |
| Key Factors | Dew formation and improved batting conditions under lights |
Batting Records At Sawai Mansingh Stadium
The Jaipur pitch demands solid technique and smart shot selection from batters. While some players have struggled here, others have made this ground their fortress.
Top Run Scorers
Many batters have dominated at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium over the years. Former Rajasthan Royals opener Ajinkya Rahane leads the all-time run-scoring charts at this venue.
| Player | Runs |
|---|---|
| Ajinkya Rahane | 1115 |
| Shane Watson | 875 |
| Sanju Samson | 824 |
| Jos Buttler | 769 |
| Rahul Dravid | 735 |
Rahane’s success at this ground came from his ability to combine defensive solidity with attacking flair. His deep knowledge of local conditions helped him score consistently across multiple seasons.
Highest Individual Scores
The venue has witnessed some brilliant individual performances despite its challenging conditions. Virat Kohli holds the record for the highest individual score in IPL matches at this ground.
| Player | Score |
|---|---|
| Virat Kohli | 113* |
| Ajinkya Rahane | 103* |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 100 |
| Jos Buttler | 100 |
| Vaibhav Suryavanshi | 100 |
Kohli’s unbeaten 113 off 72 balls came for RCB against RR in IPL 2024. His innings showed how a quality batter can dominate even on a tricky surface. Young sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi created history in IPL 2025 by scoring the fastest century at this venue in just 35 balls.
Most Sixes Hit
Power hitting plays a crucial role in T20 cricket. Despite the big boundaries, several batters have cleared the ropes with ease at this ground.
| Player | Sixes |
|---|---|
| Shane Watson | 41 |
| Sanju Samson | 27 |
| Jos Buttler | 19 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 17 |
| Riyan Parag | 16 |
Shane Watson’s tally of 41 sixes remains unmatched. His ability to clear the big boundaries with pure timing and power entertained the Jaipur crowd for many seasons.
Most Fours Hit
Finding gaps and running hard between wickets remains essential at this venue. These players have perfected the art of boundary hitting at Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
| Player | Fours |
|---|---|
| Ajinkya Rahane | 127 |
| Rahul Dravid | 94 |
| Jos Buttler | 88 |
| Shane Watson | 87 |
| Sanju Samson | 68 |
Rahane’s 127 fours highlight his exceptional placement skills and ability to find gaps consistently. His classical stroke-play made him a fan favorite at this ground.
Highest Strike Rates
Strike rate determines a batter’s ability to accelerate and put pressure on the bowling side. These players have shown explosive hitting at this venue.
| Player | Strike Rate |
|---|---|
| Glenn Phillips | 357.14 |
| Krishnappa Gowtham | 300.00 |
| Anuj Rawat | 263.64 |
| Hardik Pandya | 260.00 |
| AB de Villiers | 256.52 |
Bowling Records At Sawai Mansingh Stadium
While batters often grab headlines, bowlers have also created memorable performances at this venue. The pitch rewards smart bowling and variations.
Most Wickets
Taking wickets at Sawai Mansingh Stadium requires skill and knowledge of local conditions. These bowlers have mastered the art of dismissing batters here.
| Player | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Siddharth Trivedi | 36 |
| Shane Warne | 20 |
| Shane Watson | 19 |
| Kevon Cooper | 17 |
| Sohail Tanvir | 15 |
Siddharth Trivedi’s 36 wickets came from his deep understanding of the Jaipur pitch. His knowledge of local conditions helped him trouble batters throughout his career. The legendary Shane Warne, who led RR to their inaugural title in 2008, claimed 20 wickets at this ground.
Best Bowling Figures
The stadium has seen some destructive bowling spells over the years. These performances showcase what bowlers can achieve when they get conditions in their favor.
| Player | Figures |
|---|---|
| Sohail Tanvir | 6/14 |
| Sandeep Sharma | 5/18 |
| James Faulkner | 5/20 |
| Ajit Chandila | 4/13 |
| Sohail Tanvir | 4/14 |
Sohail Tanvir’s 6/14 against Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2008 remains the best bowling performance at this venue. His left-arm pace and clever variations destroyed the CSK batting lineup. This spell also became the first six-wicket haul in IPL history.
Team Records: Highs and Lows
The stadium has witnessed both massive totals and dramatic collapses. The contrasting records show how the pitch can behave differently under various conditions.
Highest Team Totals
Teams have managed to post big scores when conditions favor batting. These totals pushed the opposition under immense pressure.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| PBKS vs RR | 219/5 by PBKS |
| SRH vs RR | 217/6 by SRH |
| RR vs MI | 197/1 by RR |
| MI vs RR | 189/4 by MI |
| RCB vs RR | 189/5 by RCB |
Punjab Kings’ 219/5 in IPL 2025 against RR stands as the highest team total at this venue. The innings showed how the pitch can offer good value for batters on certain days.
Lowest Team Totals
The venue has also produced some shocking batting collapses. These totals highlight how quickly things can change in T20 cricket.
| Match | Score |
|---|---|
| RR vs RCB | 59 All Out by RR |
| RR vs SRH | 94 All Out by RR |
| CSK vs RR | 97/9 by CSK |
| PBKS vs RR | 106/8 by PBKS |
| DC vs RR | 108/8 by DC |
Rajasthan Royals’ 59 all out against RCB remains the lowest total in Jaipur’s IPL history. This collapse showed how the pitch can assist bowlers when conditions align.
Highest Successful Chase
Chasing has proven more successful at this venue due to dew and improved batting conditions under lights.
| Match | Target Chased |
|---|---|
| SRH vs RR | 215 |
| GT vs RR | 199/7 |
| MI vs RR | 186 |
| RCB vs RR | 175 |
| LSG vs RR | 173 |
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s chase of 215 against RR in IPL 2023 stands as the highest successful run chase at this ground. The innings showed how effective batting second can be at this venue.
Fielding Records
Fielding plays a crucial role in T20 cricket. The fast outfield and big boundaries at Sawai Mansingh Stadium demand athletic fielding from all teams.
Most Catches
These players have shown excellent catching skills at this venue, often turning games with crucial dismissals.
| Player | Catches |
|---|---|
| Ajinkya Rahane | 17 |
| Sanju Samson | 14 |
| Jos Buttler | 11 |
| Shane Watson | 10 |
| Shane Warne | 9 |
Ajinkya Rahane’s 17 catches show his outstanding fielding ability. His safe hands in the slip cordon and outfield have contributed to many RR victories.
Highest Partnership Records
Strong partnerships often decide match outcomes. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium has witnessed some match-winning stands over the years.
Sachin Tendulkar and Dwayne Smith hold the record for the highest partnership at this venue. Their unbeaten 163-run opening stand for Mumbai Indians against Rajasthan Royals in 2012 remains a memorable innings. The legendary partnership showcased the batting prowess of two quality players on a good pitch.
Rajasthan Royals At Their Fortress
Rajasthan Royals have a formidable record at their home ground. The team has won 37 out of 58 matches played at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, giving them an impressive win percentage above 63%.
The 2008 IPL season holds special significance for this venue. Shane Warne led a young Rajasthan side to the inaugural IPL title, with many crucial victories coming at home. The team’s first match at this ground against Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) on April 21, 2008, set the tone for their title-winning campaign.
Match Statistics Summary
The numbers tell an interesting story about cricket at this venue. Here are some key statistics from 63 IPL matches played at Sawai Mansingh Stadium:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Runs Scored | 19,945 |
| Total Matches | 63 |
| Matches Won Batting First | 23 |
| Matches Won Chasing | 40 |
| Average First Innings Score | 164.9 |
| Average Second Innings Score | 151.7 |
| Total Sixes | 618 |
| Total Fours | 1,847 |
| Win % for Chasing Team | 63.5% |
Historic Moments At SMS Stadium
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium has witnessed several historic moments in IPL history:
The stadium hosted the IPL’s first-ever six-wicket haul when Sohail Tanvir destroyed Chennai Super Kings in 2008. This performance set the standard for bowling excellence at the venue.
Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar opened together for India in an ODI at this venue for the first time. This partnership went on to become the most successful opening pair in ODI cricket history.
MS Dhoni played one of his greatest ODI innings here, scoring 183 not out against Sri Lanka in 2005. This match showcased the batting-friendly nature of the pitch on certain days.
India’s record chase of 362/1 against Australia in 2013 also came at this venue, with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli scoring centuries.
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Conclusion: A Venue For Memorable Cricket
The Sawai Mansingh Stadium continues to produce exciting cricket year after year. The balanced pitch creates fair contests between bat and ball, while the passionate Jaipur crowd adds to the electric atmosphere.
With its rich history and modern facilities, this venue remains a fortress for Rajasthan Royals. The stadium has hosted record-breaking innings, sensational bowling spells, and dramatic finishes. Every IPL season brings new stories and memorable moments to this iconic ground.
As IPL 2026 approaches, fans look forward to more thrilling encounters at Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The combination of skilled cricketers, a challenging pitch, and enthusiastic supporters promises exciting action for seasons to come.
