R. Premadasa Stadium - Colombo

Established in 1986, the venue, named after former Sri Lanka president Ranasinghe Premadasa, was earlier named Khettarama Stadium. It is the biggest stadium in the country and was built on swampland previously used by monks ferrying across to the Khettarama temple adjacent to the stadium.

The 35,000-seater venue hosted its first official match with the ODI between Sri Lanka and New Zealand played on April 1986. The first Test was played between Sri Lanka and Australia in September 1992.

A new training centre was developed behind the stadium with 16 practice pitches and dormitories for the Academy which started in 2003.

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M. Chinnaswamy Stadium - Bangalore

Established in 1969, the venue was originally named as Karnataka State Cricket Association Stadium and eventually renamed after M Chinnaswamy, who was the president of the Indian board from 1977 until 1980.

The stadium was given Test status in 1974-75 and hosted West Indies in the opening match, although the stadium was only half-built. That match was also the debut of two West Indian greats, Gordon Greenidge and Viv Richards.

The venue, with a capacity of 50,000, has also hosted ICC CWC matches in 1987 and 1996 including the fierce CWC quarterfinal between India and Pakistan in March 1996.

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Sardar Patel Stadium - Ahmedabad

Also known as Motera, the stadium was established in 1982 and is built on the banks of the Sabarmati River on the outskirts of Ahmedabad. Located on a 50-acre site, it took only nine months to construct the 48,000-seater stadium.

The first match played here was the third Test between India and West Indies in November 1983. The venue also hosted the first match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 1996 between India and Zimbabwe in October 1987.

The venue has witnessed some memorable Indian feats including Sunil Gavaskar achieving 10,000 Test runs against Pakistan in 1986-87, and Kapil Dev claiming his 432nd victim to break Richard Hadlee's record as leading Test wicket-taker.

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Wankhede Stadium - Mumbai

Established in 1974, the stadium is located less than a mile away from Brabourne Stadium. Its seaside proximity assists swing bowlers during the early part of each day. It is currently being rebuilt ahead of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2011.

The first Test in the ground was played in January 1975 between India and West Indies. The venue has played host to ICC Cricket World Cup 1987 and 1996.

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