Walk past the 14th-century Feroz Shah Kotla fortress, and you will find a cricket ground that carries almost as much history within its walls. Established in 1883, the Arun Jaitley Stadium is India’s second-oldest international cricket venue.
This is where Anil Kumble took all 10 wickets in an innings against Pakistan in 1999, only the second bowler in Test history after Jim Laker. Sachin Tendulkar surpassed Sunil Gavaskar’s record of 34 Test centuries right here in 2005.
Delhi Capitals have called this ground home since IPL 2008. The DDCA renamed the stadium in 2019 to honour former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, but Delhi fans still call it “Qila Kotla,” treating it as a fortress they hope the home team will one day make truly unbeatable.
The pitch underwent a massive transformation after the 2023 renovations, shifting from a slow, spin-friendly surface to a flat batting paradise where SRH posted 278/3 in 2025. With a 56% chase win rate, the joint highest of any IPL venue, teams winning the toss here almost always choose to field first.
Arun Jaitley Stadium Quick Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Year Established | 1883 |
| Location | Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, Delhi |
| Capacity | 41,820 |
| Home IPL Team | Delhi Capitals |
| Total IPL Matches | 97 |
| First IPL Match | April 2008 (DD vs RR) |
| Named Ends | Stadium End, Pavilion End |
| Floodlights | Yes |
| Named Stands | Bishan Singh Bedi, Mohinder Amarnath, Gautam Gambhir, Virat Kohli |
Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL Key Stats at a Glance
These numbers tell you everything about how this ground has evolved from a spin-friendly surface to a modern batting paradise across 97 IPL matches.
- Total IPL Matches Hosted: 97
- Won Batting First: 47
- Won Batting Second: 49
- No Result: 1
- Chase Win Rate: 50.5% (historically 56%, trending towards balance post 2023)
- Average 1st Innings Score: ~170
- Total IPL Runs Scored: 31,000+
- Total Fours: 2,793
- Total Sixes: 1,266
- Average Strike Rate: 143.3
- Highest Total: 278/3 (SRH vs KKR, 2025)
- Lowest Total: 66 all out (DD vs MI, 2017)
- Highest Individual Score: 128* (Chris Gayle & Rishabh Pant, joint record)
- Best Bowling Figures: 5/13 (Lasith Malinga, MI vs DD, 2011)
Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL Historic Records
Five landmark records that define how Kotla has produced some of the IPL’s most dramatic moments across 97 matches and 17 seasons.
| Record | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Total | 278/3, SRH vs KKR, May 25, 2025 |
| Lowest Total | 66 all out, DD vs MI, May 6, 2017 |
| Highest Successful Chase | 219/6, MI vs CSK, May 1, 2021 (Pollard 87*) |
| Best Individual Score (Joint) | 128*, Chris Gayle (2012) & Rishabh Pant (2018) |
| Best Bowling Figures | 5/13, Lasith Malinga, MI vs DD, April 10, 2011 |
Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL Batting Records
Kotla has transformed from a spin-friendly surface to a batting paradise post 2023 renovations. SRH posted 278/3 and 266/7 in back-to-back seasons here, while Jake Fraser McGurk’s 15-ball fifty equalled the joint fastest half-century in IPL history at this ground.
Top Run Scorers at Arun Jaitley Stadium
David Warner’s 1,048 runs at this venue make him the highest run scorer here despite never playing a home match at Kotla. His one century and nine fifties across 36 innings show remarkable consistency on a surface that historically troubled visiting batters. Rishabh Pant sits second with 978 runs at a strike rate of 160.06, proving he owns this ground with both volume and aggression.
| # | Player | Runs | Innings | Key Stat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Warner | 1,048 | 36 | 1 century, 9 fifties |
| 2 | Rishabh Pant | 978 | 29 | SR 160.06 |
| 3 | Virender Sehwag | 933 | 28 | SR 165.71 |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer | 855 | 29 | Solid middle order anchor |
| 5 | Shikhar Dhawan | 780 | 27 | 8 fifties at this venue |
Highest Individual Scores at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Two players share the record for the highest individual score at Kotla. Chris Gayle smashed 128 not out off 62 balls against Delhi Daredevils in 2012, and Rishabh Pant matched that score exactly with 128 not out off 63 balls against Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2018. Heinrich Klaasen holds the fastest century here, reaching three figures off just 37 balls against KKR in 2025.
| # | Player | Score | Opponent | Year | Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chris Gayle | 128* (62b) | DD | 2012 | Joint highest at venue |
| 2 | Rishabh Pant | 128* (63b) | SRH | 2018 | Joint highest at venue |
| 3 | Heinrich Klaasen | 105* (37b) | KKR | 2025 | Fastest century at venue |
| 4 | Jake Fraser McGurk | 84 (27b) | SRH | 2024 | Fastest fifty (15 balls) |
| 5 | David Warner | 109* | DC | 2019 | Highest by a visiting opener |
Most Sixes Hit at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Rishabh Pant’s 58 sixes at Kotla lead all batters at this venue. His unorthodox shot selection and ability to clear the rope from unexpected positions have made him the most feared six hitter on this ground. Pant’s reverse sweeps for six against pace bowlers are now a signature Kotla moment.
| # | Player | Sixes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rishabh Pant | 58 |
| 2 | David Warner | 42 |
| 3 | Virender Sehwag | 40 |
| 4 | Shreyas Iyer | 35 |
| 5 | Andre Russell | 32 |
Most Fours Hit at Arun Jaitley Stadium
David Warner’s 119 fours at Kotla are the most by any batter at this venue. His classical stroke play through the off side, and sharp running between wickets consistently found gaps on a ground where the square boundaries measure 63 to 67 metres.
| # | Player | Fours |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | David Warner | 119 |
| 2 | Rishabh Pant | 95 |
| 3 | Virender Sehwag | 92 |
| 4 | Shikhar Dhawan | 88 |
| 5 | Shreyas Iyer | 82 |
Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL Bowling Records
Spin has historically dominated at Kotla with the dry, abrasive surface assisting leg spinners and off spinners through the middle overs. However, pace bowlers with yorker accuracy have also produced match winning spells here, particularly Lasith Malinga’s devastating 5/13 in 2011.
Top Wicket Takers at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Amit Mishra’s 58 wickets at Kotla are the most by any bowler at this venue in IPL history. His leg spin, mastery of the googly, and exceptional flight control made him virtually unplayable on the old Delhi surface. No other bowler has even reached 35 wickets here, showing how far ahead Mishra stands in the bowling charts.
| # | Player | Wickets | Innings | Style |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amit Mishra | 58 | 45 | Leg spin, googly specialist |
| 2 | Umesh Yadav | 31 | 29 | Right arm fast |
| 3 | Morne Morkel | 25 | 18 | Right arm fast, extreme bounce |
| 4 | Pawan Negi | 22 | 20 | Left arm spin |
| 5 | Axar Patel | 20 | 18 | Left arm orthodox spin |
Best Bowling Figures at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Lasith Malinga’s 5/13 against Delhi Daredevils in April 2011 stands as the most clinical spell at Kotla in IPL history. He clean bowled four of his five victims with searing yorkers that gave the batters no room to manoeuvre. Amit Mishra’s 5/17 against Deccan Chargers in 2008 included a hat trick in the final over.
| # | Player | Figures | Team | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lasith Malinga | 5/13 | MI | 2011 |
| 2 | Amit Mishra | 5/17 | DD | 2008 |
| 3 | Jaydev Unadkat | 5/25 | PW | 2013 |
| 4 | Amit Mishra | 4/11 | DD | 2016 |
| 5 | T Natarajan | 4/19 | SRH | 2024 |
Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL Team Records
Kotla has seen both ends of the spectrum. SRH’s 278/3 in 2025 proved that the renovated surface can produce absolute run fests, while DD’s 66 all out in 2017 showed that batting collapses can still happen when conditions and execution align perfectly.
Highest Team Totals at Arun Jaitley Stadium
SRH’s 278/3 against KKR in May 2025 is the highest total ever posted at Kotla. Travis Head, Heinrich Klaasen, and Abhishek Sharma powered that innings on a surface that has become increasingly batting-friendly since the 2023 renovations. Four of the top five highest totals at this venue have come since 2024, confirming the pitch transformation.
| # | Match | Score | Year | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | SRH vs KKR | 278/3 (SRH) | 2025 | Head, Klaasen, Abhishek |
| 2 | SRH vs DC | 266/7 (SRH) | 2024 | Travis Head 89 (32b) |
| 3 | DC vs MI | 257/4 (DC) | 2024 | Fraser McGurk 84 (27b) |
| 4 | MI vs DC | 247/9 (MI) | 2024 | Tilak Varma 63 (32b) |
| 5 | DC vs SRH | 247/9 (DC) | 2024 | Fraser McGurk 65 (18b) |
Lowest Team Totals at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Delhi Daredevils’ 66 all out against Mumbai Indians in 2017 remains the lowest total at Kotla. Harbhajan Singh and Karn Sharma each took three wickets to dismantle the batting order on a surface that was still slow and spinner friendly before the renovations.
| # | Match | Score | Year | Top Bowler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DD vs MI | 66 all out (DD) | 2017 | Harbhajan & Karn Sharma (3 each) |
| 2 | DD vs CSK | 83 all out (DD) | 2013 | Mohit Sharma 3/10 |
| 3 | RR vs DD | 129/9 (RR) | 2008 | Farveez Maharoof 2/11 |
| 4 | DC vs CSK | 131 all out (DC) | 2019 | Imran Tahir 3/20 |
| 5 | PBKS vs DC | 135/8 (PBKS) | 2021 | Axar Patel 3/21 |
Notable Chases at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Mumbai Indians’ 219/6 against CSK in May 2021 is the highest successful IPL chase at Kotla. Kieron Pollard’s 87 not out off 34 balls was the decisive contribution in one of the most extraordinary run chases in IPL history. Gujarat Titans produced the most efficient chase when Sai Sudharsan (108*) and Shubman Gill (93*) chased 200 without losing a single wicket in 2025.
| # | Match | Target | Chase Score | Year | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MI vs CSK | 219 | 219/6 | 2021 | Pollard 87* (34b) |
| 2 | GT vs DC | 200 | 205/0 | 2025 | Sudharsan 108*, Gill 93* |
| 3 | SA vs IND (T20I) | 212 | 212/3 | 2022 | Miller & van der Dussen |
| 4 | DC vs MI | 210 | 211/4 | 2024 | Pant 82 (43b) |
| 5 | PBKS vs DC | 195 | 198/4 | 2023 | Livingstone 72 (37b) |
Delhi Capitals’ Home Record at Arun Jaitley Stadium
Delhi Capitals have struggled to make Kotla a genuine fortress despite playing the majority of their IPL matches here. Their 47% home win rate is significantly lower than CSK’s 68% at Chepauk or KKR’s 58.42% at Eden Gardens. However, the pitch transformation post 2023 has shifted dynamics, with batting first becoming a stronger option in recent seasons.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches Played at Home | 86 |
| Matches Won | 38 |
| Matches Lost | 48 |
| Home Win Percentage | ~47% |
| IPL Titles Won | 0 (Finalist 2020) |
| Best Home Stretch | 2019 (7 wins from 7 home games) |
Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL Fielding Records
Rishabh Pant’s dismissals behind the stumps at Kotla lead all fielders at this venue. His sharp glovework and lightning-quick stumpings against spinners have been a defining feature of Delhi’s home matches across multiple seasons.
| # | Player | Catches / Dismissals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rishabh Pant | 32 (includes stumpings) |
| 2 | Shreyas Iyer | 18 |
| 3 | Shikhar Dhawan | 16 |
| 4 | Amit Mishra | 14 |
| 5 | Axar Patel | 12 |
Arun Jaitley Stadium Pitch Report For IPL 2026
The Kotla pitch has undergone a dramatic transformation since 2023. Understanding the old and new conditions is essential for fantasy picks and match predictions this season.
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Pitch Nature (Pre 2023) | Slow, low, spin friendly |
| Pitch Nature (Post 2023) | Flat, batting friendly |
| Pace Rating | 3/5 |
| Spin Rating | 4/5 (historically), 2/5 (post renovation) |
| Dew Factor | Medium |
| Square Boundary | 63 to 67 metres |
| Average 1st Innings Score | ~170 |
| Toss Impact | 55% win rate for toss winners |
Key conditions every fan should know:
- Pitch was slow and spin friendly before 2023 but has flattened out significantly after renovations
- Four of the five highest totals at this venue have come since 2024, confirming the transformation
- Dew in evening matches makes the ball slippery, traditionally helping the chasing team
- Since 2023, batting first has become a stronger option with 10 wins from 15 matches
- Square boundaries of 63 to 67 metres reward genuine power hitters on both sides
- Amit Mishra’s leg spin dominated on the old surface, but pace and power now rule the new one
Arun Jaitley Stadium IPL 2026 Ticket Prices
Delhi Capitals home games against MI, RR, and PBKS are the fastest selling at this venue. The stadium’s capacity means better availability for regular league matches compared to smaller grounds.
| Category | Price (INR) |
|---|---|
| General Stand | Rs 700 onwards |
| Mid Range | Rs 2,000 |
| Premium / Pavilion | Rs 10,000 |
| VIP / Hospitality | Rs 28,000 onwards |
| Booking Platform | BookMyShow |
How to Reach Arun Jaitley Stadium
Delhi Metro is the most reliable option on match days. Roads near the stadium and the Yamuna floodplains corridor congest severely from 2 hours before the match.
| Mode | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport | Indira Gandhi International Airport, approx 17 km |
| Nearest Metro | Indraprastha (Violet Line) or Blue Line, within 2 km |
| Nearest Railway Stations | New Delhi and Hazrat Nizamuddin, both nearby |
| Parking | Limited and highly congested on match days |
| Best Mode | Delhi Metro, fastest and most reliable option |
Upcoming IPL 2026 Matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium
| # | Date | Match No. | Match | Time (IST) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 4, Saturday | Match 8 | Delhi Capitals vs Mumbai Indians | 3:30 PM |
| 2 | April 8, Wednesday | Match 14 | Delhi Capitals vs Gujarat Titans | 7:30 PM |
| 3 | April 25, Saturday | Match 35 | Delhi Capitals vs Punjab Kings | 3:30 PM |
| 4 | April 27, Monday | Match 39 | Delhi Capitals vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 7:30 PM |
| 5 | May 5, Tuesday | Match 48 | Delhi Capitals vs Chennai Super Kings | 7:30 PM |
| 6 | May 8, Friday | Match 51 | Delhi Capitals vs Kolkata Knight Riders | 7:30 PM |
| 7 | May 17, Sunday | Match 62 | Delhi Capitals vs Rajasthan Royals | 7:30 PM |
DC will play 7 home matches at Arun Jaitley Stadium in IPL 2026. Two fixtures are afternoon games at 3:30 PM IST (vs MI on April 4 and vs PBKS on April 25), while the remaining five are evening matches at 7:30 PM IST.
Suggested Reads:
Kotla: Where History Lives and Delhi Waits For Glory
Arun Jaitley Stadium carries over 140 years of cricket history within its walls. From Kumble’s perfect 10 in 1999 to Tendulkar’s record breaking century in 2005, this ground has witnessed moments that defined Indian cricket long before the IPL existed. In the T20 era, Kotla has produced 31,000 plus runs, over 1,200 sixes, and some of the competition’s most memorable individual performances across 97 matches.
The pitch transformation after 2023 has completely changed how teams approach this venue, with SRH’s 278/3 in 2025 proving that Kotla is no longer the spin friendly fortress it once was. Delhi Capitals are still searching for their first IPL title, but with Rishabh Pant’s 58 sixes, Amit Mishra’s 58 wickets, and a surface that now produces run fests, the stage is set for Kotla to deliver even bigger moments in the seasons ahead.
