Traffic Tamed, Cricket Untamed: Ekana’s IPL 2025 Triumph

Arijit Bose

The Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow has long been a symbol of cricketing ambition in Uttar Pradesh, but in 2025, it truly came into its own as a premier IPL venue. Hosting seven home matches for the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Ekana Stadium proved to be a well-oiled machine, delivering a seamless experience for fans, players, and organizers alike. From the electrifying performances of LSG to vastly improved traffic management, the IPL season in Lucknow this year was a resounding success, setting a new benchmark for cricketing events in the city.

Nestled in the sprawling Ekana Sportz City, a 137-acre sports-inspired community developed under a public-private partnership, Ekana Stadium is one of India’s newest and largest cricketing arenas, boasting a seating capacity of nearly 60,000. Since its inauguration in 2017, the stadium has hosted international fixtures, including matches for the Afghanistan national team and the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup. However, its role as the home ground for LSG since 2023 has elevated its status in the cricketing world. With its state-of-the-art facilities, longest straight boundaries in India (68–70 meters), and a pitch that offers a balanced contest between bat and ball, Ekana is a venue that commands respect.

The IPL 2025 season in Lucknow was a testament to meticulous planning and execution. Unlike previous years, where traffic chaos and crowd mismanagement marred the experience, the district administration and Lucknow Police Commissionerate ensured that logistical hurdles were addressed proactively. In recent years, reports highlighted significant traffic congestion during LSG’s matches against Delhi Capitals and other teams, prompting the authorities to overhaul their approach. This year, detailed traffic plans were implemented, including designated diversions and parking arrangements. Vehicles approaching from Kamta, Shaheed Path Crossing, and Cantt were rerouted via the Ahimamau Shaheed Path Ramp and underpass to Sultanpur Road, with clear signage guiding fans to parking lots. Separate entry gates for each stand—Gate 5 for East, Gate 2 for West, Gate 1 for North, and Gate 4 for South—streamlined crowd movement, reducing bottlenecks.

Public transport options were also enhanced, with maps and routes provided to assist fans navigating to the stadium. Dedicated parking zones for two-wheelers and four-wheelers were clearly marked, ensuring a hassle-free experience. These improvements were a game-changer, allowing fans to focus on the cricket rather than logistical woes. The absence of major incidents or complaints about traffic management in 2025 underscored the success of these measures, earning praise from spectators and organizers alike.

On the field, the Lucknow Super Giants, led by the dynamic Rishabh Pant, brought their A-game to Ekana. With a squad featuring Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, and Ravi Bishnoi, LSG showcased flair and resilience. The team played 17 matches at Ekana since their IPL debut in 2022, securing nine victories, with a 50% win record in 2025. Notable performances included a thrilling 12-run win against Mumbai Indians, where Mitchell Marsh’s fluent 60 powered LSG to 203/8, and a successful chase of 181 against Gujarat Titans, anchored by Markram (58) and Pooran (61). The pitch at Ekana, a mix of 70% black and 30% red soil, evolved from being bowler-friendly in 2023 to favoring batters in 2025, with an average first-innings score of 180 at a run rate of 9. This shift allowed for high-scoring thrillers, such as LSG’s clash with MI, while spinners like Bishnoi continued to exploit the surface’s occasional two-paced nature.

In earlier team formations, Individual brilliance shone through, with KL Rahul leading the batting charts at Ekana with 483 runs in 12 innings, and Marcus Stoinis holding the record for the highest individual score (89* off 46 balls against MI). Ravi Bishnoi’s 15 wickets in 13 innings underscored his dominance as a spinner, while Mark Wood’s 5/14 against Delhi Capitals in 2023 remained the venue’s best bowling performance. These performances electrified the 50,000-strong crowds, who filled the stands with vibrant energy, chanting for their heroes under Ekana’s floodlights. The stadium’s infrastructure played a pivotal role in enhancing the fan experience. The North and South Ends of the ground buzzed with excitement, with fans reveling in the sixes—14 per match on average—that soared over the boundaries. The absence of rain interruptions, with AccuWeather predicting clear skies for key matches like LSG vs. CSK, ensured uninterrupted entertainment.