The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is situated in the city of Kochi. Also known as the Kaloor International Stadium, this huge stadium has the capacity to seat sixty thousand visitors at one go. This stadium was constructed by the Greater Cochin Development Authority in the year 1996. The architecture of this stadium is such that the sounds made in the stands are increased manifold. Hence this stadium is touted as one of the noisiest stadiums in India. Originally constructed as a football stadium, these grounds are now home to some quality cricket too. Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is considered as the fourth largest stadium in India and is also considered as the third largest cricket stadium. Several exhibitions, rallies and events are conducted on this venue due to the availability of huge grounds. Both day and day-night matches can be played in this ground. It has some excellent infrastructure facilities like for example the flood lights here in the stadium. The lights are so powerful that even high definition video can be taken in the stadium. The structure of this light tower is unique and one of a kind too. The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium is also operated by the Greater Cochin Development Authority.
The Jawaharlal Nehru stadium has been leased by the Greater Cochin Development Authority to Kaloor Cricket Association for a period of thirty years. The first tournament that took place in this stadium is the Nehru Cup International Football in the year 1997. The highest monetary profit was in April 2005 for an India- Pakistan cricket match in which India won. The first ODI to be played on this stadium was between India and Australia on the 1st of April in 1998. The highest ticket sales were for a cricket match was for the one that India played against Iraq. An estimated crowd of nearly one hundred thousand cricket crazy fans packed the stadium. This goes on to prove that a football fanatic state indeed has their passion firmly rooted to cricket too. The stadium is also considered as one of the finest pitches for batting. This stadium has yielded many high scoring matches by the batsmen. Another interesting information is that this stadium hosted the first Indian cricket match after the retirement of God of Cricket – Sachin Tendulkar . In fact the pavilion was named in his honor as the Sachin Tendulkar pavilion in 2013. In 2011, three additional teams were added in the Indian Premier League which included Kochi Tuskers from Kerala. This stadium was considered as the home ground for Kochi Tuskers Kerala. Renovations were done to hold these matches which resulted in good outfields, excellent drainage facilities and new pitches. The Renovations were done at whopping cost of rupees thirty crores. The first Kochi Tusker IPL match was held the 9th of April in 2011.
In addition to this, football matches like the Chirag United Club of Kerala I-League season matches were played here too. The newly launched Indian Super League for football fanatics in India has matches conducted in this stadium too. The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is considered the home ground for Kerala Blasters.
Many International ODI records have been recorded at this venue. Sachin Tendulkar’s career best bowling performance was recorded here with a figure of five wickets for thirty two runs in the year 1998.
In addition to cricket and football, many movies have been shot here too. Certain scenes from the Malayalam super hit Run Baby Run starring the Mollywood superstar Mohanlal shoots here. Due to the popularity of cricket in Kerala a new stadium is proposed to be built in Edakochi over twenty four acres of land.
To reach Kaloor, the nearest railway station is the Ernakulam railway station which is about ten kilometres and the nearest airport is the Nedumbassery International airport which is about thirty five kilometeres. Kaloor is also well connected with bus routes and has its own bus terminus.