Gwalior's Captain Roop Singh Stadium: A place where legacy meets royalty

The stadium, named after Olympic hockey champion Roop Singh, is etched in cricket history as the venue of the first-ever One Day International (ODI) double century by the legend Sachin Tendulkar.

The Captain Roop Singh Stadium holds a significant place in the annals of Indian sports.

Located in the heart of Gwalior, the stadium is named after Captain Roop Singh, the brother of the legendary hockey player Dhyan Chand.

Roop Singh was a member of British India's hockey team that won gold medals at the 1932 and 1936 Olympic Games.

Initially a hockey stadium, the Captain Roop Singh Stadium in Gwalior was converted into a cricket venue in 1988.

Its historical significance grew when, on February 24, 2010, Sachin Tendulkar made history by becoming the first cricketer to score a double century in an ODI at the very same venue.

 

Captain Roop Singh Stadium Cricket Stats

However, the legacy of Captain Roop Singh Stadium is not limited to Tendulkar and Roop Singh. After its conversion into a cricket stadium under the guidance of Maharaja Madhavrao Scindia, the venue has hosted several international matches, including the highly anticipated 1996 clash between India and the West Indies. That match was viewed as a contest between Tendulkar and Brian Lara.

Lara was dismissed for just two runs in that game, as the combined efforts of Manoj Prabhakar, Javagal Srinath, and Anil Kumble limited the West Indies to a modest total of 173 runs. Tendulkar, however, scored a match-winning 70 runs off 91 balls before being run out. India went on to win the match by five wickets.

Roop Singh Stadium view from India dressing room during India vs South Africa ODI match on February 24, 2010. Photo: Anish Kumar

India has played 10 matches at Captain Roop Singh Stadium, winning eight of them. India’s first defeat at this venue came against the West Indies in 1988. The second loss occurred a decade later, on May 28, 1998, when Kenya triumphed over India in the Coca-Cola Triangular Series.

Interestingly, Sachin Tendulkar, who would score the first-ever double-century at the same venue 12 years later, was part of India’s playing XI in that match but managed only 18 runs off 25 balls.

Since that defeat to Kenya, India has played against teams such as New Zealand, Australia, Pakistan, and South Africa at the Roop Singh Stadium, winning every match without further losses.

ODI match results at Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior
Team 1	Team 2	Winner	Margin	Ground	Match Date
India	South Africa	India	153 runs	Gwalior	24-Feb-10
India	Pakistan	India	6 wickets	Gwalior	15-Nov-07
India	Australia	India	37 runs	Gwalior	26-Oct-03
India	New Zealand	India	14 runs	Gwalior	11-Nov-99
India	Kenya	Kenya	69 runs	Gwalior	28-May-98
Pakistan	Sri Lanka	Pakistan	30 runs	Gwalior	12-May-97
India	West Indies	India	5 wickets	Gwalior	21-Feb-96
India	England	India	4 wickets	Gwalior	5-Mar-93
India	England	India	3 wickets	Gwalior	4-Mar-93
India	South Africa	India	38 runs	Gwalior	12-Nov-91
England	West Indies	West Indies	26 runs	Gwalior	27-Oct-89
India	West Indies	West Indies	73 runs	Gwalior	22-Jan-88

When Sachin Tendulkar Made History

The Roop Singh Stadium has long been a batting-friendly ground and favorite venue for ‘The God of Cricket’, Sachin Tendulkar. Before the historic India vs South Africa match in 2010, Tendulkar was already the highest run-scorer for India at the stadium, with 329 runs. That match was also the last international fixture played at the stadium.

Highest run-scorer at Roop Singh Stadium

Most runs in ODIs at Captain Roop Singh Stadium, Gwalior
Player	Span	Mat	Not out	Runs	HS	Ave	BF	SR	100	50	4s	6s
Sachin Tendulkar (IND)	1991-2010	9	1	529	200*	66.12	551	96	2	2	63	5
RA Smith (ENG)	1989-1993	3	-	266	129	88.66	325	81.84	1	2	26	6
M Azharuddin (IND)	1988-1998	6	1	252	95*	50.4	258	97.67	-	2	28	2
Navjot Singh Sidhu (IND)	1991-1998	5	1	242	134*	60.5	323	74.92	1	1	23	1
Sourav Ganguly (IND)	1999-2007	2	1	158	153*	158	155	101.93	1	-	19	3
DL Haynes (WI)	1988-1989	2	1	143	138*	143	179	79.88	1	-	12	2
GA Hick (ENG)	1993-1993	2	1	123	105*	123	134	91.79	1	-	8	2
RB Richardson (WI)	1988-1996	3	-	121	47	40.33	165	73.33	-	-	12	0
AB de Villiers (SA)	2010-2010	1	1	114	114*	0	101	112.87	1	-	13	2
Carl Hooper (WI)	1988-1988	1	1	113	113*	0	97	116.49	1	-	12	2
MS Dhoni (IND)	2007-2010	2	2	113	68*	0	80	141.25	-	1	10	5

Sachin’s double century: A lasting legacy at Roop Singh Stadium

Fast forward to the present day, when Business Standard visited Captain Roop Singh Stadium ahead of the India vs Bangladesh first T20 match – to be hosted at the newly built Shrimant Madhavrao Scindia Stadium on the outskirts of the city – the entrance of the historic stadium resembled a movie theatre. However, the legacy of Sachin Tendulkar’s 200 runs was still prominently displayed in the reception area.

The reception area continues to showcase the complete scoresheet of the India vs South Africa match. Sunil Gupta, the scorer of that game, proudly displayed the scoresheet, recalling how the crowd’s frustration with MS Dhoni, India’s then-captain, grew as Tendulkar neared his milestone.

Gupta explained, "Sachin was on 186 in the 43rd over when he suddenly slowed down, and MS Dhoni began hitting big shots. In the 49th over, Dhoni faced all six deliveries, only taking a single off the last ball. Everyone was wondering what he was doing."

Scoresheet of India vs South Africa ODI match on February 24, 2010 when Sachin Tendulkar scored first-ever 200 runs in Test cricket history. Photo: Anish Kumar

"I was literally shouting, ‘Please let him score one run.’ That was the only time I felt biased. Dhoni hit a six on the first ball of the last over, but the crowd remained silent. When he took a single off the second ball, the stadium erupted. Then, on the third ball of the 50th over, Sachin reached the milestone. There were tears in our eyes – probably the last time I cried," Gupta added.

Gupta further mentioned that the stadium's giant scoreboard remained untouched after Sachin’s historic achievement. Unfortunately, harsh weather conditions have since damaged the scoreboard, causing the names and scores to fade away.

The Gwalior Division Cricket Association owns the Captain Roop Singh Stadium, which is currently leased to the Madhya Pradesh Cricket Association (MPCA), with the lease expiring in 2025.

Gupta expressed hope that if the MPCA renews the lease, they will restore the deteriorating stadium and potentially convert it into a museum dedicated to Sachin Tendulkar’s unbeaten 200 runs.