The Assam Cricket Association Stadium, also known as ACA Stadium, Barsapara Cricket Stadium) and officially named Dr. Bhupen Hazarika Cricket Stadium,[4] is a cricket stadium in Barsapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.[5] It is the home ground of the Assam cricket team and is owned and operated by the Assam Cricket Association. The stadium has a maximum capacity of 55,000 spectators.[1][2][3]
Former Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the stadium on 10 October 2017. The arena hosts domestic and international cricket matches. It is India's 49th international cricket venue.[6] The first international cricket match played here was a T20I between India and Australia in 2017, which was won by Australia. [7] It is the largest sports stadium in north-eastern India.
It hosted the Indian Premier League's matches for the first time in April 2023, with the Rajasthan Royals playing two home games in the stadium as its second home.[2] This initiative was put forth by BCCI to have a cricketing impact in Northeast India.[8]
History
The foundation stone of the stadium was laid by then-Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi in June 2004, and he again laid the foundation stone of the club house and stand of the stadium in July 2007 in the presence of then BCCI secretary Niranjan Shah.
An area of 59 bighas of land was allotted to the Assam Cricket Association by the state government after clearing a portion from encroachers. The Assam Cricket Association started construction in 2006. The Assam Cricket Association (ACA) has hosted a few local matches here, which was initially a dumping ground before the ground became ready for domestic first-class matches.
In 2010, Assam Cricket Association change the Barsapara Cricket Stadium's name in memory of the late Dr. Bhupen Hazarika.Then the president of Assam Cricket Association was Mr.Gautam Roy and Secretary was Bikash Baruah.
On 10 October 2017, the stadium hosted its first T20I. The match was played between Australia and hosts India; Australia won the game by eight wickets. In this match, the newly inaugurated stadium recorded an attendance of 38,132.[11]
The stadium hosted its first ODI on 21 October 2018. The match was played between hosts India and the West Indies cricket team. India won the game by eight wickets.[12]