The Ranasinghe Premadasa Cricket Stadium(RPS) (Sinhala: ආර්. ප්රේමදාස ක්රීඩාංගනය, Tamil: ஆர். பிரேமதாச அரங்கம்; formerly known as Khettarama Stadium) is a cricket stadium[1] on Khettarama Road, in the Maligawatta suburb of Colombo, Sri Lanka. The stadium was, before June 1994, known as the Khettarama Cricket Stadium and is today one of the main venues where the Sri Lankan cricket team play, having hosted more than 100 one-day international matches. It is the largest stadium in Sri Lanka with a capacity of 35,000 spectators. It has hosted the 2012 ICC World Twenty20 final between Sri Lanka and West Indies; the 2002 ICC Champions Trophy final between Sri Lanka and India and first semi-final of the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup between Sri Lanka and New Zealand. This was where the highest Test score in history was recorded; 952 by Sri Lanka against India.[2] With capacity exceeding Lord's in England, the stadium is known as the "home of Sri Lankan cricket".
History
Renovation
The Premadasa Stadium underwent a reconstruction project in preparation for the 2011 Cricket World Cup. The stadium has been undergoing large-scale renovations since 2009. It has had its seating capacity increase from 14,000 to 40,000, the media box accommodating 200 journalists, and other upgrades. The renovations have cost Sri Lanka Cricket $8 million.[3]
In July 2010, a report filed by the ICC pitch consultant, Andy Atkinson, raised concerns over the condition of the outfield and the pitch claiming he was worried at the slow pace of progress.[4] Although none of the buildings at the stadium was near completion, the 2nd Test of the West Indies tour of Sri Lanka in 2010, was held at the venue in 23–27 November. Sri Lanka Cricket defended choosing the stadium saying that the decision to stage a game was to allow cricketers to acclimatize themselves to the ground ahead of the World Cup games.[5] The Test match was staged using temporary seating for spectators in a corner of the stadium as only players' pavilions had permanent arrangements. Since the press box was not completed reporters and commentators facing technical difficulties used a makeshift arrangement.
Renovated Pavilion B
The main four public stands were refurbished along with the player dressing room area and the corporate boxes. A VIP car park is at the northern end of the ground.
Stadium plan
Current stands at R. Premadasa.
Pavilions A and B are fully equipped with seating in two tiers, lower and higher. Several corporate boxes are built in these two stands. Pavilions C and D are built between the scoreboard in the stadium with a two-tiered seating system. The lower tiers have concrete paving allocated for floor seating and the upper tier includes fully standard seating blocks. The grandstand and top-level block above the player pavilions have enhanced quality seating. Pavilions A and B give a moderate view of the scoreboard while the grandstand not only gives a good view of the scoreboard but also the game and pitch.[citation needed][neutrality is disputed]
After renovation
The R Premadasa Stadium hosted seven successful World Cup matches including a quarter-final and a semi-final. On 10 May 2011 Sri Lanka Cricket secretary Nishantha Ranatunga confirmed that the first edition of 2011 Sri Lanka Premier League's matches would play at R Premadasa Stadium. The tournament was later postponed till 2012 due to financial complications and internal regime change at Sri Lanka Cricket.
On 21 September 2011, it was announced that the stadium would host fifteen 2012 ICC World Twenty20 matches, including the semi-finals and the final.[6]
Asia Cup 2023
The Premdasa Stadium was chosen as one of the four venues to host the matches of the 2023 Asia Cup, which Sri Lanka were co-hosting along with Pakistan. The stadium hosted 5 out of the 6 Super Four matches, while also hosting the tournament final.
Muttiah Muralitharan with 75 scalps has captured the most number of wickets at the Premadasa stadium.
The highest individual score at R Premadasa stadium is 169 by Kumar Sangakkara against South Africa in the 2013 season.
R Premedasa stadium became the first in Sri Lanka and fourth in the world to reach 100 ODIs hosted stadium.
Lasith Malinga has taken two ODI hat-tricks at this stadium. The first came against Kenya in the 2011 World Cup and the second versus Australia on 22 August 2011
Twenty20 Internationals
The first match played on 10 February 2009 involving Sri Lanka and India
Highest team total at the R. Premadasa Stadium is 215/5 by Bangladesh against Sri Lanka.[10]
Sri Lanka has lost 9 of 10 matches played on this ground, which is the worst home ground for Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka won the T20I series against India for the first time at this ground in 2021.
World Cup Cricket
In 1996 and 2011 ICC cricket world cups R. Premadasa Stadium hosted nine matches including a quarter-final match and a semi-final match. It has hosted the highest number of cricket World Cup matches in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets (with 13 balls remaining) R. Premadasa Stadium, Colombo, Sri Lanka Umpires: Aleem Dar and Steve Davis Player of the match: Kumar Sangakkara (Sri)
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first.
This is New Zealand's sixth World Cup semi-final and Sri Lanka's fourth.
ICC Champions Trophy Cricket
The 2002 ICC Champions Trophy was held in Sri Lanka. Nine matches were played in R. Premadasa Stadium including the semi-finals and the final. Other matches were played in SSC.
