Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report, T20 Records & Stats 2026
📍 City: Guwahati
🏟️ Capacity: ~40,000
🏏 Home: Rajasthan Royals
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium |
| Common Name | Barsapara Cricket Stadium / ACA Stadium |
| Location | Barsapara, Guwahati, Assam, India |
| Established | 2012 |
| Capacity | ~40,000 spectators |
| IPL Role | Alternate Home Ground — Rajasthan Royals (RR) |
| Bowling Ends | Media End & Pavilion End |
| Boundaries | 61m (square) · 70m (square off) · 74m (straight) |
| Flood Lights | Yes |
| IPL Debut | April 5, 2023 |
| Notable Distinction | Only international cricket stadium in Northeast India; named after legendary Assamese cultural icon Dr. Bhupen Hazarika |
Barsapara Cricket Stadium, also referred to as the Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium, is the first and only international cricket stadium in the Seven Sister States of Northeast India. Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium is the pride of cricket in the Northeast and most premium stadiums in the rest of India. It is the first one in the Seven Sister States of India, which was established in 2012. It has been managed by the Assam Cricket Association (ACA).
The Stadium is named after Dr. Bhupen Hazarika, who was an eminent Assamese singer, lyricist, and filmmaker. He is one of the most powerful voices in the Indian subcontinent and one of the most influential figures in the Indian geographical region of South Asia. The stadium is in the Barsapara area of Guwahati (Assam’s largest city and the gateway to Northeast India).
The venue has a capacity of 40,000 and is one of the most modernly designed cricket stadiums in the country. It has uniquely shaped and visually distinct stadium roof panels enabling it to stand out as a cricket stadium in most of the country. It also had its Indian Premier League (IPL) debut in April 2023, as the Rajasthan Royals presented it to its top and first-playing level franchise cricket to a cricket-starved passionate supporter base.
Aside from its cultural importance, the geography of Barsapara Cricket Stadium contributes to its strategic intrigue. Guwahati is located in the Brahmaputra River valley, with the Shillong Plateau to the south and the Assam plains to the north. This location creates intriguing weather and pitch conditions unlike any other IPL location. Guwahati has high humidity, pre-monsoon cloud cover, and cool air flow from the Brahmaputra River.
These conditions create pitch environments that behave differently than dry red soil from Delhi and black soil of Lucknow. Barsapara has only had 7 IPL matches and has already established some of the most unusual statistical patterns. It has particularly unusual order data and has become one of the most difficult fields to analyze for tactically difficult IPL analysts, coaches, and captains.
The Pitch Report
Barsapara Cricket Stadium has a red soil pitch with a flat, true, and even wicket, and a clean carry to the wicketkeeper in the initial overs of a game. The average first innings score in IPL matches played in this venue is 174.6 runs, which is why the venue is classified as a high-scoring venue. The quick and flat 61-meter square boundaries also mean that a slightly mistimed pull shot, or a pull-on-drive shot is most likely to go for a six.
In the first few overs, fast bowlers will also get good seam movement, especially in the overcast weather because the humidity and moisture in the air also assist swing bowling. There are weather conditions that assist swing bowling that are not available in the interior regions. If there are overcast skies with a new ball, the fast bowlers will be a threat for the first six overs. The pitch also helps bowlers to get good swing if they bowl fuller.
From the middle overs, the Barsapara pitch undergoes a distinctive shift due to its warm, moist, soil-based composition. The surface begins to soak up evening dew and as humidity rises post-sunset, it begins to grip for spinners. This makes for an interesting mid-innings scenario where pace bowlers who excelled in the dry conditions of the powerplay overs now have to contend with a slowing ball, and spinners who have the ability to adjust their rhythm, flight and turn the ball become more and more effective.
The wicket split at this venue illustrates this duality perfectly, with pace bowlers capturing 58.33% of total IPL wickets along with spinners contributing 41.66%. This is the highest wicket contribution to spinners at an IPL venue along with Chennai and Dharamsala. The near-half split between spinners and pace wickets is the best indication that Barsapara is a venue that warrants a well-rounded bowling effort as opposed to an over-specialised approach.
The Barsapara pitch has its fair share of oddities, but perhaps the most fascinating is the sheer number of matches where the toss loser has gone on to win the match, something which has previously been regarded as near impossible due to the advantages that come with winning the toss, and which has never been seen before, or to this magnitude, at IPL matches in the Barsapara Stadium or any other IPL ground, at least to this point in the tournament’s history. Most analysts overlook the warning that Barsapara is likely to be a very dean luck when it comes to tosses, as it is a venue where tournaments results in most matches being completed.
In all probability, last-installed and configured hypothesis of the winner is that where it is not a venue where there is a very strong historical winning percentage in favor of the toss winning team, many blades with the winner of the winner, and select restricted winning branches, as active vc and mp. So far with the Barsapara match history, the IPL has seen the winner of the toss losing team go on to win far more matches than the winner of the team winning team.
Toss Bias & Win Predictor
Even when taking into account possible extreme sample anomalies, there is no other venue in the Indian Premier League (IPL) that requires such a complete disregard for the widely accepted, seemingly rational fantasy strategy that focuses on winning the toss: Barsapara Cricket Stadium. While there is one no result for the abstract, unique, and vexing paradox of the winning toss team losing so decisively, there is no analog for the Barsapara paradox (more than 80% losing toss winner in 5 /12 completed matches).
The factors that explain the paradox include features that help match reading in the venue: a high Brahmaputra valley moisture and pitch environment and changing pitch behaviour that is rapid in the afternoon to evening transition that axis (overlaid with changing valley moisture) and combined with the high moisture, high clay intensity air, and high valley moisture. The traps for successful guess captains may exist on any match day. In competitive guessing, Barsapara toss winners have been wrong and the analytics are clear.
Batting First Win %
60%
Chasing Win %
40%
Verdict: losing a toss could be a blessing in disguise. There’s no other way to put it. Yes, batting first gives teams a 60% win rate, but the incredible fact is that toss winners lost that match 80% of the time. Toss winners are, in fact, picking the wrong strategy, and this has happened time and time again. There is no clear precedent at this specific venue in the Brahmaputra Valley to suggest an absolute batting first or chasing strategy. At the end of the day, the barsapara data shows that the toss does not matter.
Key T20 Records
Average 1st Innings
174
(22 IPL matches)
Highest IPL Total
199/4
(RR vs DC, 2023)
Highest IPL Chase
152
(KKR vs RR, 2025)
Wicket Split
Pace: 58%
Spin: 42%
Weather & Dew Factor
At an elevation of just 55 metres above sea level, Guwahati’s location makes it one of the most humid cities in the IPL. Guwahati sits in the Brahmaputra River Valley, the river basin which makes it one of the most challenging IPL venues. From March to May, which coincides with the IPL season, the daytime temperatures in Guwahati reach 32 – 36 degrees Celsius with a humidity range of 60 – 80%. This is significantly more humid than Delhi, Bengaluru, or Lucknow at the same time of the year. Pre-monsoon cloud systems form rapidly over the Shillong Plateau located towards the south.
These clouds drift over Guwahati in the afternoons and evenings, creating overcast conditions which have a cooling effect but also increase moisture in the atmosphere. By the time the evening matches that are scheduled for 7.30 pm start, the temperature is 24 – 28 degrees Celsius but the humidity is at 75 – 85% and will increase as the night progresses. This makes Guwahati one of the most humid venues for IPL matches. This combination of being in a river valley, high humidity, and precursor clouds makes it nearly impossible to predict the weather just hours before a match.
💧 DEW FACTOR: HIGH – The Brahamaputra Valley’s high humidity creates strong evening dew. The Barsapara Cricket Stadium experiences heavy dew during IPL evening matches due to the high humidity in Guwahati, the moisture from the Brahmaputra River, and the pre-monsoon clouds that trap moisture in the atmosphere.
From about 13 minutes into the second innings, the outfield becomes very dewy. The ball is nearly impossible to grip for wrist spinners, the outfield becomes quicker, moisture quickens the ball’s slide, and fielders slip when they try to change direction. As a result, the batting-first advantage has disappeared at Barsapara, which is why so many teams avoid it. The winners of the toss also usually bat first to try to protect their score but are usually defeated by the heavy dew.
Fantasy implication: check humidity and moisture predictions for Guwahati. If the humidity is low and the evening is clear, it is most likely batting first will be an advantage. If the evening is forecast to be humid and cloudy, the second innings will likely be dew heavy and will be a huge advantage to the team batting second.
IPL Records at Barsapara Cricket Stadium
The Barsapara Cricket Stadium, which opened in April 2023, has hosted the fewest matches out of all IPL venues at six, so it has the least experience with all IPL venues. Regardless of this lack of experience, Barsapara Cricket Stadium has observed some amazing performances and some outstanding numbers. These numbers are likely due to the venue’s easier hitting and the unusual weather in the Brahmaputra valley.
For example, the highest team score of 199/4 was set by the Rajasthan Royals in 2023 against the Delhi Capitals. Additionally, Quinton de Kock’s 97* off 61 for KKR in 2025, still stands as the best individual IPL innings at this venue.
🏏 Highest IPL Totals at This Venue
| Team | Score | Vs | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| RR | 199/4 | DC | 2023 |
| KKR | 185/5 | RR | 2025 |
| RR | 177/3 | PBKS | 2023 |
| MI | 171/4 | RR | 2024 |
| RR | 153/7 | CSK | 2026 |
📉 Lowest IPL Totals at This Venue
| Team | Score | Vs | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC | 142/9 | KKR | 2024 |
| CSK | 147/8 | RR | 2026 |
| PBKS | 153/8 | RR | 2023 |
| RR | 153/7 | CSK | 2026 |
| MI | 171/4 | RR | 2024 |
🌍 Notable T20 International Records at This Venue
| Record | Detail |
|---|---|
| Highest T20I Total | 237/3 — India vs South Africa, October 2022 |
| Highest Individual T20I Score | 123* — Ruturaj Gaikwad (India vs Australia, 2023) |
| Most Runs (All T20s) | Ajinkya Rahane — former RR skipper, highest all-T20 run scorer here |
| Lowest T20 Total | 90/8 — Services vs Bengal (Syed Mushtaq Ali, 2021) |
| Biggest Win (T20I) | India 9-wicket win vs South Africa (2022) |
Best Individual Performers at ACA Stadium
Due to the fact that just six IPL matches have been played in Barsapara Cricket Stadium’s history, it goes without saying that individual records are still in their infancy. However, the names that have been recorded so far represent some of the best talent in the IPL. For example, Riyan Parag, who is a local Assamese cricketer and who plays for the Rajasthan Royals. He has the most runs at this venue, and this ground, as well as the rest of the outfield, has been the scene of some of his greatest performances. Because of this, he is a hugely popular and above-average choice for fantasy leagues in IPL matches played in Guwahati.
🔥 Top Individual Scores (IPL) at This Venue
| Batsman | Score | Balls | Strike Rate | Fixture | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quinton de Kock | 97* ⭐ | 61 | 159 | KKR vs RR | 2025 |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 68 | 38 | 178 | RR vs DC | 2023 |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 56* | 24 | 233 | RR vs PBKS | 2023 |
| Riyan Parag | 54 | 33 | 163 | RR vs MI | 2024 |
| Jos Buttler | 52 | 35 | 148 | RR vs PBKS | 2023 |
📊 All-Time IPL Run Scorers at This Venue
| Batsman | Runs | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Riyan Parag | 137+ | RR |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | 108+ | RR |
| Shimron Hetmyer | 101+ | RR |
| Quinton de Kock | 97+ | KKR |
| Jos Buttler | 89+ | RR |
🎯 Best Bowling Figures (IPL) at This Venue
| Bowler | Figures | Fixture | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Ellis | 4/30 ⭐ | PBKS vs RR | 2023 |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | 3/27 | RR vs DC | 2023 |
| Wanindu Hasaranga | 3/28 | RR vs MI | 2024 |
| Trent Boult | 3/19 | RR vs PBKS | 2023 |
| Avesh Khan | 2/22 | LSG vs RR | 2023 |
Fantasy Cricket Tips: Playing a Match at Barsapara Cricket Stadium
🏠 Riyan Parag — The Home Hero
Riyan Parag has also been the top IPL run scorer at Barsapara, and being an Assamese cricketer, it’s also his home turf and home fans. Given his massive home advantage, and incredible statistical and psychological factors, he is by far the best captain fantasy pick for every match the Royals play at Guwahati. Parag has a strike rate above 165 at the venue, and with a middle-order batting position, he will be perfectly aligned with the high pace batting position in the middle after the power play.
🌀 Back Quality Spinners Heavily
Barsapara has the highest contribution to spin bowling of any IPL venue outside Chepauk with 41.66% IPL wickets falling to spinners. This means that any good leg spinner or off spinner in the playing XI is a great pick. Chahal has 6 wickets in only 3 games here, showing the value of good slow bowlers at this humid and gripping Barsapara. If a good spinner is in either side, make sure to include them in your fantasy bowling list.
🌧️ Always Check the Match-Day Weather
No IPL venue more urgently requires the studying of the weather prior to match day than Barsapara. Guwahati’s pre-monsoon weather is highly erratic and unpredictable. Factors like whether it is a clear evening with low humidity, making it easier to bat, or overcast with high humidity and dew will cause a large change to a fantasy strategy. Weather services will show humidity above 75% and cloud cover above 60% meaning you should adjust fantasy selections to have more batting players in the later innings.
Utilizing the conditions to your advantage will make you a more successful fantasy player. Barsapara has a total of 6 enforced IPL restrictions. Each new match adds extra useful data to the record. Nothing is more reliable than the weather. If Parag is playing, a quality spinner is a must, and you should pick a swing bowler in the power play, and guess the weather in the hours to the match, you will have an advantage. At Barsapara, the winning captain is the one who understands and utilizes the conditions the best.
Cricket Comes to Northeast India
Cricket fans in Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland, and the rest of Northeast India did not have an international-standard cricket venue they could travel to until they built Barsapara Cricket Stadium in 2012. Prior to this, those who wanted to see an IPL or international match had to travel over 1,500 kilometres to the nearest city. With the construction of the ACA Stadium, the fans in Northeast India, home to about 50 million people, have a world-class venue and a direct entry to the highest level of the sport.
Northeast India is home to the songs of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika and the Assam Cricket Association’s decision to honor him by naming the stadium after him was a strong statement that this ground is devoted to the cricketing and cultural heritage of the region.
Riyan Parag has emerged as one of the top batting talents in the IPL and has become a local hero for the people in the northeast at a venue where the franchise Rajasthan Royals plays its home matches. When he walks out to bat at the ACA Stadium, he will have 40,000 fans in the stadium shouting his name. He will have the hopes of the entire region who have waited many years for this.
There are very few venues in India that have a more important story than the developing Barsapara Stadium. Parag has made the trip worthwhile for the people in the northeast. This IPL schedule is another step in the IPL cricketing journey that the people have been waiting for.