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The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, also locally known as Kaloor Stadium, is a football stadium in Kochi, Kerala, India.[1]Initially, it had a capacity 80,000 to 100,000 spectators, which was limited since 2017 for the Indian Super League (ISL), after it hosted 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup under FIFA security guidelines.[3] It is the home ground of the ISL club Kerala Blasters FC.[4][5][6] The stadium is touted to have hosted one of the loudest audiences for association football matches in the world.[7]
Kaloor Stadium | |
_in_2022.jpg) The stadium during an Indian Super League match of Kerala Blasters FC | |
 | |
| Location | Kaloor, Kochi, India |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 9°59′50″N 76°18′04″E / 9.99722°N 76.30111°E |
| Public transit |  J. L. N. Stadium Metro Station 🚎 Kaloor Bus Stand |
| Owner | Greater Cochin Development Authority |
| Operator | Greater Cochin Development Authority |
| Executive suites | 109 |
| Capacity | 41,000[1] |
| Record attendance | 100,000 (1997)[2] |
| Surface | Riviera bermuda grass |
| Scoreboard | Yes |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1996 |
| Renovated | 2000, 2017 |
| Tenants | |
| Active Kerala State Football Team (1997–present) Indian National Football Team (1997– present) Kerala Blasters FC (2014–present) Kerala Blasters FC Reserves (2016—present for selected matches) Forca Kochi FC (2024—present) Previous Indian National Cricket Team (1997–2014) Kerala State Cricket Team (1997–2014) Viva Kerala FC (2002–2012 for selected matches) Kochi Tuskers Kerala (2011) | |
The stadium has played host to a number of international cricket and football matches but after 2014, it didn't hold any cricket match due to ISL. The extensive grounds of the stadium serve as venue for important exhibitions, cinema events and political rallies in the city. The most innovative aspect of the stadium is its unique lighting towers of 2 kW Floodlights which when switched on fully can provide lighting levels for HD telecast. The Structure of the tower is itself one of a kind in India.[8][9] Greater Cochin Development Authority leased out the Jawaharlal Nehru International stadium at Kaloor to the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) for a period of 30 years.[citation needed]
The stadium acts as the home ground for teams including Kerala football team, Kerala Blasters FC (Indian Super League). As of 19 August 2017, the stadium has hosted 10 One Day Internationals. Stadium holds the privilege of having the fifth loudest crowd (128 db) in the world,[10] during ISL 2016 final match where Kerala Blasters played against Atletico de Kolkata.
Kochi was one of the six host cities for 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in India.[11] It was extensively renovated before the event.[1]
History
editEarly years and football's popularity
editThe Kaloor Stadium was originally constructed as a cricket stadium. But considering that Kerala is one of the few regions in India where football enjoys considerable popularity it was used for football matches also. Indeed, in a match between India and Iraq in 1997, approximately 100,000 spectators filled up the venue, thus overcrowding it, which remains a record at this place. This was in the Nehru Cup International Football Tournament in 1997, which was the first tournament at the venue. The stadium won several laurels for being constructed in a timely manner.[12] The stadium was completed under the watchful eyes of late V. Joseph Thomas IPS who was the head of the Greater Cochin Development Authority. He was a huge fan of football from his college days at St. Thomas College, Palai and also served as the patron of the Kerala State Athletics Association.[13] The stadium was inaugurated by then President of India Shankar Dayal Sharma in 1996. It has 1.3 kilometres in outer circle.
International cricket
editAfter 1998, football went down and cricket took the centre-stage for many years, drawing sell-out and high money grossing games. In fact, the highest money grosser at the venue was made in a cricket ODI match between India and its arch-rival Pakistan in April 2005. The first ODI played on this ground was between India and Australia on 1 April 1998.
Kaloor stadium hosted the first match India played after Sachin Tendulkar's retirement. The pavilion was renamed as Sachin Tendulkar pavilion as an honour to him before this match between India and West Indies on 21 November 2013 which India won by 6 wickets.
The stadium underwent a massive renovation including a modern turf, an aesthetic modern roofing and a four-lane road from the south side of the stadium.
The first Indian Premier League game at the stadium was on 9 April 2011, when the Kochi Tuskers Kerala hosted the Royal Challengers Bangalore. It was the first IPL match for the Kochi Tuskers. Five of their 2011 home games were played in this stadium, and the other two were played at the Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. The stadium hosted the semi-final and final of the 2013 Duleep Trophy.
Return of football and the ISL
edit
In 2011, Chirag United claimed the tenancy of the venue. However, the premier football club of India was still not able to fill up the stadium's massive capacity.[14] Football returned to prominence at the venue after the launch of Indian Super League in 2014. The stadium is the home ground to Kerala Blasters, one of the teams with the most fanbases in the ISL. Some of the games involving the home team drew crowds in excess of 55,000 in the inaugural edition.[15]
The first Indian Super League game at the stadium was on 6 November 2014, when the Kerala Blasters FC hosted the FC Goa. It was the first ISL match for the Kerala Blasters. The stadium had an average attendance of over 40,000 for the Indian Super League matches in 2014. The game between Kerala Blasters FC and Chennaiyin FC saw 61,323 spectators on 30 November 2014.
The stadium was the venue for 2013 Santosh Trophy finals.
In popular culture
editThe famous "Maro Maro" song composed by A.R. Rahman for the Tamil movie Boys directed by Shankar, climax scenes of the Tamil movie Velayudham starring Vijay, Malayalam movie Run Baby Run starring Mohanlal and many other Indian Films were shot in the stadium.
ODI matches held
edit 1 April 1998
Scorecard |
v
|
||
A Jadeja 105 * (109)
MS Kasprowicz 3/50 (8.2 overs) |
AC Gilchrist 61 (45)
Sachin Tendulkar 5/32 (10 overs) |
- India won the toss and elected to bat first.
9 March 2000
Scorecard |
v
|
||
Ajay Jadeja 92 (109)
WJ Cronje 2/48 (8 overs) |
G.Kirsten 115 (123)
Rahul Dravid 2/43 (9 overs) |
- South Africa won the toss and elected to bat first.
13 March 2002
Scorecard |
v
|
||
Mohammad Kaif 56 (78)
Douglas Hondo 4/37 (8.3 overs) |
ADR Campbell 71 (119)
Ajit Agarkar 2/28 (10 overs) |
- India won the toss and elected to bat first.
2 April 2005
Scorecard |
v
|
||
Virender Sehwag 108 (95)
Arshad Khan 4/33 (6 overs) |
Mohammad Hafeez 42 (75)
Sachin Tendulkar 5/50 (10 overs) |
- India won the toss and elected to bat first.
6 April 2006
Scorecard |
v
|
||
Geraint Jones 49 (66)
Yuvraj Singh 2/34 (8 overs) |
- England won the toss and elected to bat first.
2 October 2007
Scorecard |
v
|
||
MS Dhoni 58 (88)
George Hogg 3/40 (9.3 overs) |
- India won the toss and elected to field first.
15 January 2013
Scorecard |
v
|
||
MS Dhoni 72 (66)
ST Finn 2/51 (10 overs) |
Kevin Pietersen 42 (44)
B Kumar 3/29 (10 overs) |
- India won the toss and elected to bat first.
21 November 2013
Scorecard |
v
|
||
Virat Kohli 86 (84)
J Holder 2/48 (8 overs) |
DM Bravo 59 (77)
R Jadeja 3/37 (10 overs) |
- West Indies won the toss and elected to bat first.
8 October 2014
Scorecard |
v
|
||
Shikhar Dhawan 68 (92)
Marlon Samuels 2/10 (3 overs) |
Marlon Samuels 126 (116)
Mohammed Shami 4/66 (9 overs) |
- India won the toss and elected to field first.
Indian Premier League
editThe cricket stadium in Kochi was expected to serve the Chennai Super Kings or the Royal Challengers Bangalore as a home venue apart from Chennai and Bangalore for the initial IPL seasons. However both the franchises initially refused and later promised to reconsider the offer, fearing a decline in revenues. Eventually no matches of the first 3 IPL seasons were played in Kochi.
The auction for expanding the initial eight franchises to ten for the 2011 season was held on 22 March 2010. Rendezvous Sports World made the second highest bid of ₹ 15333 million, and elected to base its team in Kochi.[16]
The first IPL match held at the stadium was between Kochi Tuskers Kerala and Royal Challengers Bangalore on 9 April 2011. The match was also Kochi Tuskers first ever IPL match.
9 April 2011
(Scorecard) |
Kochi Tuskers Kerala
161/5 (20 overs) |
v
|
Royal Challengers Bangalore
162/4 (18.4 overs) |
B McCullum 45 (32)
D Vettori 1–17 (4 overs) |
AB de Villiers 54 (40)
R Jadeja 1–28 (4 overs) |
- Kochi Tuskers Kerala won the toss and elected to bat
18 April 2011
(Scorecard) |
Kochi Tuskers Kerala
135/3 (15 overs) |
v
|
Chennai Super Kings
131/4 (17 overs) |
B McCullum 47 (33)
R Ashwin 2–31 (4 overs) |
SK Raina 50 (40)
RV Gomez 1–20 (2 overs) |
- Kochi Tuskers won the toss and elected to field
- Match reduced to 17 overs per side due to rain. Kochi's target was adjusted to 135 runs from 17 overs via the Duckworth–Lewis method.
27 April 2011
(Scorecard) |
Kochi Tuskers Kerala
74 (16.3 overs) |
v
|
Deccan Chargers
129/6 (20 overs) |
- Kochi Tuskers Kerala won the toss and elected to field.
30 April 2011
(Scorecard) |
Kochi Tuskers Kerala
119 (18.5 overs) |
v
|
Delhi Daredevils
157/7 (20 overs) |
- Delhi Daredevils won the toss and elected to bat.
5 May 2011
(Scorecard) |
Kochi Tuskers Kerala
156/5 (20 overs) |
v
|
Kolkata Knight Riders
139/7 (20 overs) |
- Kolkata Knight Riders won the toss and elected to field.
ODI records at the venue
editBatting
- Highest Total: 321/6 (50 overs) by West Indies vs. India on 8 October 2014.
- Lowest Total: 191 (48.3 overs) by India vs. Zimbabwe on 13 March 2002.
- Most Runs : Rahul Dravid (223 runs from 292 balls in 5 matches)
- Highest Score: Marlon Samuels (West Indies) 126* runs from 116 balls vs. India on 8 October 2014.
- Average 1st innings total : 273
- Average 2nd innings total : 225
Bowling
- Most Wickets : Sachin Tendulkar (10 Wickets, 33 Overs, 4 Matches)
- Best Bowling : Sachin Tendulkar 5/32 (India vs. Australia on 1 April 1998)
Highest partnerships by wicket
edit| Wicket | Runs | Team | Players | Opposition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 235 |  South Africa
|
Gary Kirsten | Herschelle Gibbs |  India
|
| 2nd | 76 | India
|
Rahul Dravid | IK Pathan |  England
|
| 3rd | 201 | India
|
Rahul Dravid | Virender Sehwag |  Pakistan
|
| 4th | 165 |  West Indies
|
Denesh Ramdin | Marlon Samuels | India
|
| 5th | 121 | India
|
HH Kanitkar | Ajay Jadeja |  Australia
|
| 6th | 96 | India
|
MS Dhoni | Ravindra Jadeja | England
|
| 7th | 17 | Pakistan
|
Shahid Afridi | Mohammad Hafeez | India
|
| 8th | 25 | India
|
Mahendra Singh Dhoni | Ramesh Powar | Australia
|
| 9th | 28 | England
|
MJ Hoggard | GO Jones | India
|
| 10th | 42 | Pakistan
|
Naved-ul-Hasan | Arshad Khan | India
|
List of centuries
editKey
edit- * denotes that the batsman was not out.
- Inns. denotes the number of the innings in the match.
- Balls denotes the number of balls faced in an innings.
- NR denotes that the number of balls was not recorded.
- Parentheses next to the player's score denotes his century number at Edgbaston.
- The column title Date refers to the date the match started.
- The column title Result refers to the player's team result
One Day Internationals
edit| No. | Score | Player | Team | Balls | Inns. | Opposing team | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 105* | Ajay Jadeja | India |
109 | 1 | Australia |
1 April 1998 | Won[17] |
| 2 | 115 | Gary Kirsten | South Africa |
123 | 1 | India |
9 March 2000 | Lost[18] |
| 3 | 111 | Herschelle Gibbs | South Africa |
127 | 1 | India |
9 March 2000 | Lost[18] |
| 4 | 108 | Virender Sehwag | India |
95 | 1 | Pakistan |
2 April 2005 | Won[19] |
| 5 | 104 | Rahul Dravid | India |
139 | 1 | Pakistan |
2 April 2005 | Won[19] |
| 6 | 126* | Marlon Samuels | West Indies |
106 | 1 | India |
8 October 2014 | Lost[20] |
List of Five Wicket Hauls
editKey
edit| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| † | The bowler was man of the match |
| ‡ | 10 or more wickets taken in the match |
| § | One of two five-wicket hauls by the bowler in the match |
| Date | Day the Test started or ODI was held |
| Inn | Innings in which five-wicket haul was taken |
| Overs | Number of overs bowled. |
| Runs | Number of runs conceded |
| Wkts | Number of wickets taken |
| Econ | Runs conceded per over |
| Batsmen | Batsmen whose wickets were taken |
| Drawn | The match was drawn. |
One Day Internationals
edit| No. | Bowler | Date | Team | Opposing team | Inn | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Econ | Batsmen | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sachin Tendulkar | 1 April 1998 | India |
Australia |
2 | 10 | 32 | 5 | 3.2 | Won[17] | |
| 2 | Sachin Tendulkar | 2 April 2005 | India |
Pakistan |
2 | 10 | 50 | 5 | 5 | Won[19] |
IPL records at venue
edit- Most Runs : Brendon McCullum (Kochi)
- Most Wickets : Vinay Kumar (Kochi) (6)
- Highest total in an innings : Royal Challengers Bangalore (162/4)
- Lowest total in an innings : Kochi Tuskers Kerala (74/10)
- Highest Score: Virender Sehwag (Delhi Daredevils) vs Kochi Tuskers Kerala (80 runs from 47 balls)
- Best Bowling : Ishant Sharma (5/12) vs. Kochi Tuskers Kerala
- Highest partnership : Sangakkara and Cameron White (90 runs off 69 balls)
Highest partnerships by wicket
edit| Wicket | Runs | Team | Players | Opposition | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 80 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | Brendon McCullum | V.V.S.Laxman | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
| 2nd | 51 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | Brendon McCullum | P Patel | Chennai Super Kings |
| 3rd | 51 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | Klinger | M Jayawardene | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 4th | 90 | Deccan Chargers | CL White | KC Sangakkara | Kochi Tuskers Kerala |
| 5th | 41 | Delhi Daredevils | Virender Sehwag | TR Birt | Kochi Tuskers Kerala |
| 6th | 22* | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | Brad Hodge | R Gomez | Kolkata Knight Riders |
| 7th | 36 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | RA Jadeja | NLTC Perera | Deccan Chargers |
| 8th | 26 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | RA Jadeja | R Vinay Kumar | Deccan Chargers |
| 9th | 1 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | R Vinay Kumar | S Sreesanth | Deccan Chargers |
| 10th | 1 | Kochi Tuskers Kerala | R P Singh | R Vinay Kumar | Delhi Daredevils |
Kerala Blasters FC
editThe stadium is the official home ground for the Kerala Blasters FC in Indian Super League since 2014. Kerala Blasters had won their first ISL home match against FC Goa for 1–0 conducted on 6 November 2014.
The game between Kerala Blasters FC and Chennaiyin FC saw 61,234 spectators on 30 November 2014. Kerala Blasters had the highest average attendance (47,427) for football clubs outside of Europe in domestic league matches, at that time.[21]
In the inaugural season of Indian Super League, Kerala Blasters finished fourth in the group stages with 19 points from 14 games and qualified for Semi-final after beating Pune City FC. Kerala Blasters FC was unbeaten in six of their seven home games. In semi-final which happened to be the last home match of this year for Kerala Blasters FC, Kerala Blasters FC won in emphatic fashion by trouncing toppers Chennaiyin FC with scoreline 3–0. One of the goals was scored by Malayali midfielder Sushanth Mathew away from 30 yards through a curling long-ranger, shot over renowned footballers Alessandro Nesta and Mikaël Silvestre and it became a proud and memorable moment for sports fans in Kerala.[22] The opening ceremony of Hero Indian Super League 2017/18 was hosted in the stadium.
Viva Kerala FC
editThe former I-League football team Viva Kerala FC (Chirag United Club Kerala) played their home matches for the 2011–12 I-League season and also selected matches at the venue.
2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup
editOn 5 December 2013, the FIFA Executive Committee chaired by FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter decided that host of 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup will be India[23] upon evaluation of bid sent by AIFF with Kochi as one of the eight possible venues.[24] Later, Chief Minister of Kerala Mr.Oommen Chandy stated that they will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Sports Ministry in that regard after an exclusive cabinet meet on the issue.[25] Government has appointed senior IAS officer Mr. APM Mohammed Hanish as Nodal Officer as per Fifa's direction.[26]
On 11 December 2014, FIFA team inspected the stadium and emphasised to improve the quality of pitch and need of bucket seats in the second tier of the stadium. With Kochi registering an average crowd of 47,000 for ISL, the city has gathered attention from the authorities in terms of attracting crowd.
On 6 April 2015, AIFF cleared Kochi as one of the venues after receiving FIFA's technical committee report. Delhi, Mumbai, Guwahati, Goa and Kolkata are the other venues.[11]
Forca Kochi FC
editThe stadium is the home ground of the Super League Kerala club Forca Kochi FC since 2024.
Kerala Strikers
editThe Celebrity Cricket League team Kerala Strikers played its home matches in the stadium since 2012 upon till 2016.
Accessibility
edit
The Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium is located in the heart of the city. It lies beside the Banerjee Road between Kaloor and Palarivattom, a common stretch among many city bus routes. The Stadium Link Road from the southern side allows access from Thammanam and Kathrikadavu, although there is no public transport along this route. The stadium is situated at 2.5 and 5.2 km (1.6 and 3.2 mi) from the North (Town) and South (Junction) railway stations respectively.
All city buses passing through the Kaloor-Palarivattom stretch have a stop at the stadium. The JLN Stadium metro station of the Kochi Metro is situated right in front of the stadium. The presence of a prominent bus stop as well as a metro station makes it a prime location and one which can be easily accessed from any part of the city.
Gallery
edit-
Stadium before an ISL Match. -
-
Manjappada (Yellow Army) during a match in Kochi. -
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c AFC Asian Cup 2027 Bidding Nation India. All India Football Federation. 28 December 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2023.
- ^ "STADIUM". waytokickoff.com. Archived from the original on 2 June 2021. Retrieved 24 January 2021.
- ^ Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Kaloor, Kochi Archived 26 January 2020 at the Wayback Machine. keralacricketassociation.com. Retrieved 18 July 2021
- ^ "'FIFA never compromised on the safety of people at the JNI Stadium. But ISL does' - the New Indian Express". 2 November 2017. Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
- ^ "FIFA U-17 World Cup: Kochi stadium capacity reduced to 29,000 from 41,000". 4 October 2017. Archived from the original on 19 February 2018. Retrieved 19 March 2018.
- ^ "Contingency plans if Kochi can't host U-17 World Cup". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
- ^ "Kerala's football fans set high goals". Archived from the original on 27 August 2018. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ "Manorama Online". Archived from the original on 21 October 2014. Retrieved 2 November 2014.
- ^ "Ground Capacity". 10 November 2016. Archived from the original on 20 November 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
- ^ "Loudest record". fanport.in. Archived from the original on 29 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
- ^ a b "Kochi to host U-17 FIFA World Cup matches". Manoramaonline. Archived from the original on 8 April 2015.
- ^ "Cochin Stadium". Official Website. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 3 June 2016. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ "Office Bearers of Kerala State Athletics Association". Official Website of Kerala State Athletics Association. 10 May 2016. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 May 2016.
- ^ "StadiumDB". Archived from the original on 23 July 2019. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ "Kochi Stadium record crowd welcomes football again". December 2014. Archived from the original on 30 March 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
- ^ "Pune and Kochi to join 2011 Indian Premier League, BBC Sport". 21 March 2010. Archived from the original on 8 April 2011. Retrieved 24 April 2011.
- ^ a b "1st Match, Pepsi Triangular Series at Kochi, Apr 1 1998". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ a b "1st Match, Pepsi Triangular Series at Kochi, Apr 1 1998". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ a b c "1st ODI, Pakistan tour of India at Kochi, Apr 2 2005". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ "1st ODI (D/N), West Indies tour of India at Kochi, Oct 8 2014". ESPNcricinfo. Archived from the original on 25 August 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ "Kerala Blasters has the highest average attendance". 15 December 2014. Archived from the original on 7 September 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2014.
- ^ "Sushanth Mathew: 'I pulled off Cristiano trick'". Nikhil Jitendran. Goal.com. 15 December 2014. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- ^ "FIFA launches 2014 FIFA World Cup Legacy Trust". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014.
- ^ "Official: India to host U-17 World Cup in 2017". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 10 March 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ^ "Kerala Government backs U-17 World Cup India bid". Goal.com. Archived from the original on 6 April 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
- ^ "Hanish appointed Nodal Officer for 2017 Fifa U-17 World Cup". The Times of India. PTI. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
External links
edit