The Ranasinghe Premadasa Cricket Stadium (RPS), located in the Maligawatta suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a prominent cricket ground known for its rich history and its significant role in the country’s cricketing heritage. Originally known as Khettarama Stadium before June 1994, it has since become one of the main venues for international cricket in Sri Lanka. The stadium is the largest in the country, with a seating capacity of 35,000 spectators, and has hosted over 100 one-day international matches. Throughout its history, RPS has been the venue for several high-profile matches, including the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 final between Sri Lanka and West Indies, the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final between Sri Lanka and India, and the first semi-final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. One of the most memorable records at this stadium was Sri Lanka’s highest Test score of 952 against India. With its large capacity, surpassing even the famous Lord’s in England, the stadium is often referred to as the “home of Sri Lankan cricket,” holding a special place in the hearts of cricket fans and players alike.
R.Premadasa Stadium Pitch Report
- Full Name: R.Premadasa Stadium
- Former names: Khettarama Stadium
- Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Operator: Sri Lanka Cricket
- Seating Capacity: 35,000
- Field size: 155 M x 130 M
- Surface: Grass
- Floodlights: Yes
- End names: Khettarama End , Maligawatte End
- Home team: Sri Lanka
- Construction Architect (Contractor): Arch International (Pvt) Ltd
- Boundary Length (Dimension): 169 yards x 142 yards
- Also known as: Khettarama Stadium
R.Premadasa Ground Dimensions
You can explore the boundary lengths for various directions at R.Premadasa Stadium by consulting ground maps. Typically, the boundary lengths may vary based on the direction, with straight boundaries often being longer compared to those at the square. To get precise measurements and additional details, official ground resources or cricket boards often provide accurate and detailed information on their websites.
- Leg Side Boundary Length: 63 meters
- Off Side Boundary Length: 67 meters
- Straight Boundary Length: 86 meters
- Back Side Boundary Length: 69 meters
R.Premadasa Cricket Stadium Records and Venue Stats: T20, T10, ODI, Test
T20 Stats
- Total Matches Played: 58
- Matches Won Batting First: 23
- Matches Won Bowling First: 34
- Average Score in 1st Innings: 142
- Average Score in 2nd Innings: 128
- Highest Total Recorded: 215
- Lowest Total Recorded: 80
- Highest Score Chased: 215
- Lowest Score Defended: 115
- Tie: 1
ODI Stats
- Total Matches Played: 167
- Matches Won Batting First: 90
- Matches Won Bowling First: 65
- Average Score in 1st Innings: 231
- Average Score in 2nd Innings: 190
- Highest Total Recorded: 375
- Lowest Total Recorded: 50
- Highest Score Chased: 292
- Lowest Score Defended: 170
- Tie: 12
Test Stats
- Total Matches Played: 8
- Matches Won Batting First: 2
- Matches Won Bowling First: 3
- Average Score in 1st Innings: 319
- Average Score in 2nd Innings: 385
- Average Score in 3rd Innings: 288
- Average Score in 4th Innings: 246
- Highest Total Recorded: 952
- Lowest Total Recorded: 86
- Highest Score Chased: 391
- Lowest Score Defended: 297
- Tie: 3
R.Premadasa Stadium Is Batting Pitch Or Bowling Pitch?
R.Premadasa Stadium is a bowlling pitch
R.Premadasa Stadium is known for being a bowler-friendly pitch where pacers can exploit early movement, and spinners often play a key role as the game progresses. The surface tends to provide assistance to bowlers, especially in the first innings, making it challenging for batsmen to settle. Teams winning the toss may prefer to bowl first, taking advantage of the conditions that favor bowlers early on.
Toss Prediction
The team winning the toss is likely to opt to bowl first.
If the team wins the toss and opts to bowl first, they are likely aiming to take advantage of the bowler-friendly conditions early in the game. The pitch may offer movement and bounce for pacers, making it a good opportunity to dismiss the opposition before they settle in. Bowling first also gives the team a chance to assess the pitch conditions and plan for a chase later if needed.
Who Will Win / Match Winner Prediction
Based on the bowler-friendly conditions at R.Premadasa Stadium, teams winning the toss and choosing to bowl first could have the upper hand, as the pitch offers early movement and helps the bowlers. This gives the bowling side a good chance to restrict the opposition to a lower score. If the batting team can weather the early storm, they may still have a chance, but it will be a challenging chase.
Dream 11 Team Prediction
When selecting your Fantasy Team for matches at R.Premadasa Stadium, it’s crucial to focus on players who can capitalize on the bowler-friendly conditions. Here are some key tips:
- 1 Wicketkeeper: Pick an aggressive wicketkeeper-batsman who can contribute both with the bat and behind the stumps, ideally someone who opens or bats in the top order.
- 3 Batters: Choose top-order batsmen who can withstand the early movement and bounce from the pitch and still score big.
- 2 All-rounders: Include all-rounders who can contribute with both bat and ball, offering flexibility and balance to your team.
- 4 Bowlers: Opt for pacers who can exploit the conditions early on, along with spinners who can come into play as the pitch slows down later in the match.
- Captain and Vice-Captain: Choose players in form, preferably a key batsman and an all-rounder, to make a significant impact.
This combination will help you optimize your chances of success in Fantasy cricket at R.Premadasa Stadium.
R.Premadasa Ground: Venue Stats
Based on the provided statistics, teams batting first tend to have a slightly better chance in ODIs and T20s, although chasing has also been successful in several matches. The pitch conditions and the nature of the opposition seem to play a significant role in determining the outcome, especially in high-scoring games. In ODI matches, teams who opt to bowl first can take advantage of early conditions, but the chase remains a viable option with teams successfully chasing substantial totals in both formats. The results suggest that, while defending totals can be tricky, it’s often the team that adapts to changing conditions, particularly in the second innings, that comes out on top.
Where To Watch Live Match
Cricket enthusiasts in India can catch all the exciting action live on the Star Sports Network, with coverage available on both Star Sports 2SD and Star Sports 2HD channels. For those who prefer streaming, the matches will also be available on Disney+ Hotstar, offering a smooth and uninterrupted viewing experience on your devices with a subscription. Don’t miss out on any of the thrilling cricket moments as they unfold live!
Type Of Pitch
R.Premadasa Stadium, located in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is renowned for its versatile surface, which can present a variety of pitch types that greatly influence the course of a match. The pitches here are known to offer a balanced challenge, offering both pace and spin, making it a dynamic venue for competitive cricket. The conditions at the stadium can vary due to factors such as moisture levels, weather conditions, and the degree of wear the pitch experiences during a game. The consistency in bounce and the variable pace of the pitch can favor different aspects of the game, from fast bowlers to spinners, providing opportunities for exciting, strategic play. As is typical with any cricket ground, the teams’ strategies often depend on the precise nature of the pitch and the evolving conditions throughout the match. Understanding these factors is crucial for teams to plan and adapt their approach effectively during the course of a game at R.Premadasa Stadium.
For a comprehensive overview of various pitch types in cricket, be sure to check out our Types of Cricket Pitches article.
R.Premadasa Ground: Head to Head
At R.Premadasa Stadium, the pitch generally favors bowlers, especially pacers, who can take advantage of early movement and bounce. Teams winning the toss and opting to bowl first have had a higher success rate, as the conditions tend to assist bowlers in the initial stages of the match. Batting can become more challenging as the game progresses, making it crucial for teams to capitalize on the bowler-friendly conditions early on.
Weather Report & Forecast
Khettarama, Colombo, experiences a tropical climate with warm temperatures throughout the year. The weather is typically hot and humid, with average temperatures ranging between 26°C to 31°C (79°F to 88°F). The region experiences two monsoon seasons: the southwest monsoon from May to September and the northeast monsoon from December to February. These monsoons bring heavy rainfall, especially in the months of May, June, and October. The humidity levels are high year-round, making it feel warmer than the actual temperature. The dry season, from December to March, brings relatively less rainfall, but the overall climate remains quite humid and warm, creating conditions that can be challenging for outdoor activities.