Patna: Bihar’s first purpose-built international cricket stadium has been completed in Rajgir, marking a significant moment for the state’s sporting ambitions and infrastructure. Officials say the venue, designed to meet global standards, is expected to host top-tier domestic and international cricket in the near future.
Until now, Bihar’s international cricket status rested largely on Patna’s Moin-ul-Haq Stadium, which hosted only a handful of international fixtures over the decades. The new Rajgir stadium, by contrast, has been conceived as a modern, high-capacity arena capable of attracting marquee events and sustained cricketing activity.
Spread across nearly 90 acres, the stadium can seat around 45,000 spectators. Its five-storey pavilion houses modern facilities for players, match officials, media personnel and spectators, with designers placing particular emphasis on comfort, accessibility and crowd management.
The playing surface has been developed to international specifications, including an advanced drainage system that allows play to resume quickly after rain. The stadium complex is surrounded by landscaped green areas and has been modelled in part on the Sydney Cricket Ground, reflecting an effort to blend functionality with aesthetic appeal.
A total of 13 pitches have been prepared to offer variety and balance. Seven pitches use black soil sourced from Mokama, known to assist both pace bowlers and batters, while six pitches have been made using red soil from Maharashtra, traditionally more favourable to spin bowling. Officials say this mix will allow the venue to host different formats and conditions, from fast-paced T20s to longer red-ball matches.
Four high-mast floodlights have been installed, enabling day-night fixtures and televised matches. The total construction cost of the stadium is estimated to be in excess of Rs 1,000 crore, making it one of the largest sports infrastructure investments undertaken by the state.
The Bihar government is expected to hand over the stadium to the Bihar Cricket Association later this year. IPL matches are likely to begin at the venue from 2027, with officials indicating that T20 internationals, one-day matches and other global fixtures could follow.
