Greenfield International Stadium

The Sports Hub, also known as Greenfield International Stadium, and previously as Trivandrum International Stadium, is a multi-purpose stadium in Kerala, India, used mainly for cricket and football. The stadium is located in the Kariavattom neighborhood of Thiruvananthapuram city. It was built on 36 acres of land leased by the Kerala University for inr 9400000 per year for a period of 15 years. The first international football tournament hosted by the stadium was the 2015 SAFF championship. India were crowned the champions, beating Afghanistan 2–1 in the final. On 1 November 2018, the venue hosted its first cricket ODI.

Facilities
The ground is designed such that it can be used for international cricket and football. The playing arena in the stadium has been constructed in line with FIFA regulations and International Cricket Council norms. It has a seating capacity for 50,000 spectators.

The stadium has been demarcated into four zones, where the north zone is dedicated to cricket, the east zone for football and each zone has a players' lounge, gymnasium, media center, and stock room. Shopping malls and a food court are placed in the south zone. The adjoining Pavilion accommodates the latest facilities for squash, volleyball, basketball, table tennis, and an Olympic size swimming pool.

The first fully eco-friendly stadium in India, it is surrounded by green plants and also has a rainwater harvesting facility. The State Environment Impact Assessment Authority and Pollution Control Board have commended the builders for the green initiatives taken.

The stadium is 13.3 km from Trivandrum International Airport, 10.2 km from Kochuveli Railway Station, 14.4 km from Trivandrum Central Railway Station and Central Bus Station Thiruvananthapuram.

Construction details
It was the first stadium in India built on the DBOT (design, build, operate and transfer) basis. It is also the first stadium in the country to be developed on annuity mode. The Greenfield stadium will be operated for 15 years by the company that built it. It will then be handed over to the University of Kerala, which has leased 36 acres for it. The university will receive Rs 94 lakhs per year as a lease.

Cricket
On 27 May 2016, the Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) signed an agreement with Kariyavattom Sports Facilities Limited (KSFL) to take Greenfield Stadium on lease until 18 November 2027. According to the agreement, the KCA will be using the stadium for 180 days a year (from 1 October to 31 January and from 1 April to 30 May). However, the KCA can still hold cricket matches on other days if the stadium is available. The KCA will be held responsible for the maintenance of the playing area inside the stadium. The KCA will pay a fixed amount as fees and will share revenue with KSFL when international matches are held at the stadium. A joint committee consisting of six members, three each from KCA and KSFL, will manage and monitor the activities during the lease period. The KCA members in the committee will be its secretary and president.

Greenfield International Stadium Boundary Length
There is not much playing surface at the Greenfield Stadium. The square boundaries are approximately 65 metres, while the straighter boundaries are approximately 70 metres. Even though the pitch is not very long, it will still be challenging for the batters since it is primarily a bowler's pitch.

Greenfield International Stadium Pitch Report
The Greenfield International Stadium has proven to be a difficult pitch for batters, with bowlers having the upper hand. In the past year, South Africa and India had a T20I match there that was entirely bowler-centric. Subsequently, an OD between India and West Indies happened in 2018 where the latter were restricted to an embarrassing 104 runs. It is a track where pacers can capitalize on early swing, while spinners will have more success as the pitch matures.

1st ODI
On 1 November 2018, India played against West Indies in an ODI, the second international game to be played at the ground, with the home team winning by 9 wickets.

2nd ODI
On 15 January 2023, India played against Sri Lanka in an ODI, the second ODI game to be played at the ground, with the home team winning by 317 runs.

1st T20I
On 7 November 2017, India played a T20I against New Zealand on the ground. The match was reduced to 8 overs per side due to rain, with India winning by 6 runs.

2nd T20I
On 8 December 2019, India played against West Indies in a T20I. The match was won by West Indies.

3rd T20I
On 28 September 2022, India played against South Africa in a T20I. The match was won by India.

4th T20I
On 26 November 2023, India played against Australia in a T20I. The match was won by India.

Greenfield International Stadium ODI records
Source:

Football
The first international football tournament hosted by the stadium was the 2015 SAFF championship. India were crowned the champions, beating Afghanistan 2–1.

Awards
The Sports Hub, Trivandrum was adjudged as the winner of the David Vickers Award for New Venue of the Year, in the Stadium Business Awards 2016 held at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Madrid, Spain on 1 June 2016.