Situated in Hyderabad, the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, which is also known as the Visaka International Cricket Stadium Ground or the Uppal Stadium, has witnessed a wide range of cricketing contests since its establishment in 2004. Known for offering a balanced pitch, the venue has produced several competitive low-scoring encounters as well as some of the highest successful chases.
Also offering as the home ground of former champions, Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the stadium has hosted multiple IPL matches and has seen modest totals turn into winning ones. The stadium has often rewarded smart bowling antics, especially in the middle overs where spinners come into play, resulting in teams successfully defending a low total. The lowest total defended at this venue continues to be SRH’s 126/6 against Pune Warriors from IPL 2013.
SRH defend 126 vs Pune Warriors on IPL debut
Elaborating on the match, which was the third game of IPL 2013, Pune Warriors won the toss and invited SRH to bat first. On the back of 30-ball 27 from Akshath Reddy and an 18-ball 30 from Thisara Perera, the debutant of the season, SRH posted 126/6 in their allotted 20 overs. In reply, the Pune Warriors, who had some of the stars of that era, including Yuvraj Singh, Marlon Samuels, Ross Taylor, etc. were seen struggling with wickets falling in crucial phases of the game.
While Amit Mishra’s legbreaks left Warriors in a state of fix, Dale Steyn picked up three wickets in four balls to return a blow to the lower order, thus handing SRH their first win on IPL debut. Since that day, this score continues to be the lowest total defended on this turf.
Lowest totals defended at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in IPL
| Team | Target defended | Opposition | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 127 | Pune Warriors | 2013 |
| Mumbai Indians | 130 | Rising Pune Supergiant | 2017 |
| Deccan Chargers | 133 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2012 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 133 | Punjab Kings | 2018 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 137 | Rajasthan Royals | 2013 |
| Mumbai Indians | 137 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2019 |
| Delhi Capitals | 145 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2023 |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 147 | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 2018 |
| Rising Pune Supergiants | 149 | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 2017 |
| Mumbai Indians | 150 | Chennai Super Kings | 2019 |
Lowest totals defended at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in ODI
| Team | Score | Opposition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | 286 | v Netherlands | 6 Oct 2023 |
| Australia | 290/7 | v India | 5 Oct 2007 |
| India | 300/7 | v England | 14 Oct 2011 |
