The Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi is India’s second-oldest cricket venue and the home ground of Delhi Capitals in the IPL. Built in 1883, the stadium sits inside a complex that also houses ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla Fort, which is how the ground got its original name.
The DDCA renamed it in 2019 to honor Arun Jaitley, a former DDCA President and Finance Minister who passed away that August. Delhi fans still call it ‘Qila Kotla,’ treating it as a fortress they hope the home team will make truly unbeatable.
Since the IPL started in 2008, the stadium has hosted 97 matches and produced some of the league’s most remarkable numbers. It seats around 41,820 spectators and has seen everything from spin-dominated low-scoring matches to flat-pitch runfests.
This article breaks down the key stats and records from this historic ground.
Ground Details And Capacity
The Arun Jaitley Stadium first hosted a Test match in November 1948, when India played the West Indies. In 1999, Anil Kumble took all 10 wickets in a single innings against Pakistan here, only the second bowler in Test history to do so. In December 2005, Sachin Tendulkar scored his 35th Test century at this ground, breaking Sunil Gavaskar’s record.
The DDCA named four stands after cricket legends: Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, Gautam Gambhir, and Virat Kohli. The stadium has also hosted matches during the 2011 and 2023 ODI World Cups and, in 2019, staged the 1,000th men’s T20 International between India and Bangladesh.
Pitch Behavior: From Spin-Friendly To Batting Paradise
The Delhi pitch underwent significant changes after the 2023 renovations. Historically, it played slow and low, assisting spinners and keeping scoring rates in check. Since 2023, the surface has flattened out considerably and now favors hard-hitting batters.
The square boundaries measure 63 to 67 meters. Dew in evening matches often makes the ball slippery, which helps the chasing team grip and swing the bat more freely. This dew factor has traditionally given an advantage to teams batting second, though recent trends suggest teams have started adapting better to it.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Type | Traditionally slow and low; flat and batting-friendly post-2023 |
| Primary Advantage | Historically spin; currently power hitters |
| Square Boundary | 63-67 meters |
| Total IPL Matches | 97 |
| Batting First Wins | 47 |
| Chasing Wins | 49 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Avg First Innings Score | ~170 runs |
| Key Variable | Dew factor in evening games |
Batting Records
Here are the top Batting Records:
Top Run Scorers
David Warner leads all run scorers at this venue with 1,048 runs from 36 innings, including one century and nine fifties. His consistency here has been exceptional.
Rishabh Pant sits second with 978 runs from 29 innings at a strike rate of 160.06, showing both volume and aggression. Virender Sehwag‘s 933 runs came at a strike rate of 165.71, reflecting his trademark explosive approach. Shreyas Iyer rounds out the top four with 855 runs from 29 innings as a solid anchor.
| Rank | Player | Runs | Innings | Notable Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Warner | 1,048 | 36 | 1 Century, 9 Fifties; remarkable consistency |
| 2 | Rishabh Pant | 978 | 29 | Strike Rate: 160.06; aggressive power-hitter |
| 3 | Virender Sehwag | 933 | 28* | Strike Rate: 165.71; explosive opener |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer | 855 | 29 | Solid anchor and middle-order mainstay |
Highest Individual Scores
Two players share the record for the highest individual score at this ground. Chris Gayle smashed 128* off 62 balls against Delhi Daredevils on May 17, 2012, and Rishabh Pant matched that score exactly with 128* off 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on May 10, 2018. The fastest century at this venue belongs to Heinrich Klaasen, who reached three figures off just 37 balls against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 25, 2025. Jake Fraser-McGurk holds the record for the fastest fifty, reaching 50 off 15 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 20, 2024.
| Achievement | Player | Score | Balls | Opponent | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Score (Joint) | Chris Gayle | 128* | 62 | vs Delhi Daredevils | May 17, 2012 |
| Highest Score (Joint) | Rishabh Pant | 128* | 63 | vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | May 10, 2018 |
| Fastest Century | Heinrich Klaasen | 105* | 37 | vs Kolkata Knight Riders | May 25, 2025 |
| Fastest Fifty | Jake Fraser-McGurk | 84 | 15 | vs Sunrisers Hyderabad | April 20, 2024 |
Boundary Leaders
Rishabh Pant leads the six-hitting tally at this venue with 58 maximums. His unorthodox shot selection and ability to clear the rope from unexpected positions have made him a crowd favorite here. David Warner tops the fours list with 119 boundaries at this ground, using his classical stroke play and sharp running between wickets to consistently find gaps.
Bowling Records
Here are the Top Bowling Records:
Top Wicket Takers
Amit Mishra dominates the bowling charts with 58 wickets from 45 innings at this ground. His leg-spin and mastery of the googly have made him particularly effective on the Delhi surface.
Umesh Yadav sits second with 31 wickets from 29 innings, relying on pace and accuracy. Morne Morkel took 25 wickets from 18 innings, using his extreme bounce and height to trouble batters.
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Innings | Bowling Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amit Mishra | 58 | 45 | Leg-spin: googly specialist; excellent flight |
| 2 | Umesh Yadav | 31 | 29 | Right-arm fast; pace and accuracy |
| 3 | Morne Morkel | 25 | 18 | Right-arm fast; extreme bounce and height |
Best Bowling Figures
Lasith Malinga’s 5/13 against Delhi Daredevils on April 10, 2011, stands as one of the most clinical spells at this venue. He clean-bowled four of his five victims with searing yorkers. Amit Mishra’s 5/17 against Deccan Chargers on May 15, 2008, included a hat-trick in the final over. Jaydev Unadkat took 5/25 against Delhi Daredevils on May 10, 2013, using deceptive cutters to dismantle the batting order.
| Player | Figures | Opponent | Date | Deceptive cutters dismantled the top and middle order |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lasith Malinga | 5/13 | vs Delhi Daredevils | April 10, 2011 | Clean-bowled 4 of 5 victims with yorkers |
| Amit Mishra | 5/17 | vs Deccan Chargers | May 15, 2008 | Hat-trick in the final over |
| Jaydev Unadkat | 5/25 | vs Delhi Daredevils | May 10, 2013 | Deceptive cutters dismantled top and middle order |
| Amit Mishra | 4/11 | vs Punjab Kings | April 15, 2016 | Masterclass in flight and turn on a traditional Delhi surface |
| T Natarajan | 4/19 | vs Delhi Capitals | April 20, 2024 | Proved yorkers still work on modern flat pitches |
Team Totals: Highs And Lows
Here is the info on the highs and Lows of IPL Teams:
Highest Team Totals
The highest team total at this ground came on May 25, 2025, when Sunrisers Hyderabad posted 278/3 against Kolkata Knight Riders, driven by Travis Head, Klassen, and Abhishek Sharma.
SRH also holds the second spot with 266/7 against Delhi Capitals on April 20, 2024, when Travis Head scored 89 off 32 balls. The DC vs MI game on April 27, 2024, produced the third- and fourth-highest totals of the day: Delhi made 257/4, and Mumbai replied with 247/9.
| Rank | Team | Score | Opponent | Date | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SRH | 278/3 | vs KKR | May 25, 2025 | Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma |
| 2 | SRH | 266/7 | vs DC | April 20, 2024 | Travis Head (89 off 32) |
| 3 | DC | 257/4 | vs MI | April 27, 2024 | Jake Fraser-McGurk (84 off 27) |
| 4 | MI | 247/9 | vs DC | April 27, 2024 | Tilak Varma (63 off 32) |
| 5 | DC | 247/9 | vs SRH | April 20, 2024 | Jake Fraser-McGurk (65 off 18) |
Lowest Team Totals
Delhi Daredevils hold the record for the lowest total at this ground, bowled out for 66 against Mumbai Indians on May 6, 2017. Harbhajan Singh and Karn Sharma each took three wickets to dismantle the innings. Delhi Daredevils again finished second, scoring only 83 against Chennai Super Kings on April 18, 2013, when Mohit Sharma took 3/10.
| Rank | Team | Score | Opponent | Date | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Delhi Daredevils | 66 All Out | vs Mumbai Indians | May 6, 2017 | Harbhajan Singh & Karn Sharma (3 wkts each) |
| 2 | Delhi Daredevils | 83 All Out | vs Chennai Super Kings | April 18, 2013 | Mohit Sharma (3/10) |
| 3 | Namibia | 116 All Out | vs India (T20WC) | Feb 12, 2026 | Varun Chakravarthy (3/7) |
| 4 | Rajasthan Royals | 129/9 | vs Delhi Daredevils | April 19, 2008 | Farveez Maharoof (2/11) |
Notable Chases
The highest successful IPL chase at this venue came on May 1, 2021, when the Mumbai Indians overhauled CSK’s total of 218 to win on 219/6. Kieron Pollard’s 87* off 34 balls was the decisive contribution.
In the T20 Internationals, South Africa chased down 212 against India on June 9, 2022, with David Miller and Rassie van der Dussen doing most of the work. Gujarat Titans produced the most efficient chase at this ground on May 18, 2025, reaching 205/0 to overhaul Delhi Capitals’ 200, with Sai Sudharsan (108*) and Shubman Gill (93*) unbeaten throughout.
| Record | Team | Score | Target | Date | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Successful Chase (IPL) | Mumbai Indians | 219/6 | 219 | May 1, 2021 | Kieron Pollard (87* off 34) |
| Highest Successful Chase (T20I) | South Africa | 212/3 | 212 | June 9, 2022 | David Miller & Rassie van der Dussen |
| Most Efficient Chase | Gujarat Titans | 205/0 | 200 | May 18, 2025 | Sai Sudharsan (108*), Shubman Gill (93*) |
Delhi Capitals’ Home Record
Delhi Capitals have played in the overwhelming majority of IPL matches at this ground. Their overall home record shows 38 wins from 86 matches, a win percentage of roughly 47%. That number tells a clear story: DC has not made this venue a consistent fortress.
The first IPL match at Arun Jaitley Stadium took place in April 2008 between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals. Delhi won by nine wickets with 29 balls to spare after Gautam Gambhir and Shikhar Dhawan scored half-centuries chasing 130.
In recent years, particularly since 2023, batting first has become a stronger option. Teams batting first have won 10 of 15 matches in that period, suggesting either a reduction in dew impact or better adaptation to powerplay conditions at the ground.
Match Statistics At A Glance
The numbers from 97 IPL matches at this ground indicate a balanced contest, with a clear shift toward batting-friendly conditions in recent seasons.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total IPL Matches | 97 |
| Batting First Wins | 47 |
| Chasing Wins | 49 |
| No Result | 1 |
| Average First Innings Score | ~170 runs |
| Total Runs Scored | 31,000+ |
| Total Fours Hit | 2,793 |
| Total Sixes Hit | 1,266 |
| Average Strike Rate | 143.3 |
Standout Moments In IPL History At This Ground
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 266/7 against Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024 stands among the four highest team totals in IPL history. That innings also included the highest powerplay score ever recorded in the tournament at Delhi. SRH surpassed even that in 2025 with their 278/3, further cementing the venue’s reputation as a batters’ haven in modern conditions.
Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 15-ball fifty in April 2024 against SRH equaled the joint-fastest half-century in IPL history. The Australian youngster’s innings gave Delhi fans a glimpse of what the ground can produce even when a team falls short. Amit Mishra’s hat-trick against Deccan Chargers in 2008 remains one of the more unusual finishes at this venue, taking three wickets in the final over to seal a victory.
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Conclusion: Arun Jaitley Stadium Carries Over A Century Of Cricket History
The Arun Jaitley Stadium carries over a century of cricket history, but the numbers from its IPL era tell a specific story. The ground produced 31,000-plus runs, over 1,200 sixes, and some of the competition’s most memorable individual performances. The pitch transformation after 2023 has changed how teams approach matches here, with batting first now offering a more competitive option than it once did.
Amit Mishra owns the bowling charts, David Warner leads in runs and fours, and Rishabh Pant tops the six-hitting and catches tallies. These individual markers reflect the type of cricket the ground has produced over 17 IPL seasons.
As teams prepare for future matches here, the data points to a surface that rewards aggressive batting while still offering enough for disciplined bowling if teams execute their plans correctly.
