Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is the main cricket stadium in Hyderabad, India and is the home ground of the Hyderabad Cricket Association (HCA). It is situated at the eastern suburb of the city in Uppal. The ground has a total capacity of 55,000 spectators presently, and the total area of the stadium extends across 16 acres of land. The ends are named North End and Pavilion End.

History of Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium
Previously the home ground for Hyderabad Cricket Association used to be Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in the Fateh Maidan sports complex at Basheerbagh located in central Hyderabad. Originally the ground belonged to Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) and HCA has restricted functioning autonomy over the ground. However, because of the small size of the ground Hyderabad was rarely considered for international matches.

The government of Andhra Pradesh, headed by N. Chandrababu Naidu played an active role during 2003, for making of this ground. Finally the construction work got over in 2005, and it was ready to host ODI matches between India and South Africa. Under the instruction of Dr. Y. S. Rajasekhara Reddy, the former Chief Minister of the state, the name was in fond memory of the former Prime Minister of India- Rajiv Gandhi.

Deccan Chargers Home Ground
Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium is the home ground for the Hyderabad franchisee of the Indian Premier League, Deccan Chargers. As most of the games that are played in IPL are night matches, so the Hyderabad Cricket Association got new flood lights installed.

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