ICC World Cup 2023: A cricket enthusiast’s guide to Lucknow

Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee (BRSABV) Ekana Cricket Stadium stands on the banks of Gomti river and can seat up to 50, 000.

The quiet, upscale neighbourhood of Gomti Nagar in Lucknow will buzz with life starting next week, when Australia and South Africa meet on the Ekana Cricket Stadium pitch. Set on the banks of the Gomti river, this stadium with a capacity of 50,000 was opened fairly recently, in 2017, and is home to the Lucknow Super Giants and the women’s national cricket team.

If you’re planning to make a trip to Lucknow to attend one of the five ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 matches to be held over the next few weeks, give yourself another day or two to explore the city, at the very least for the smorgasbord of flavours to be discovered in its cramped labyrinthine streets.

What to see and do

With layers of Nawabi and colonial era architecture dotting the landscape, a ride through Lucknow can be delightful especially to the street photographer. At the 60 ft tall Rumi Darwaza, the grand Bara Imambara and Chota Imambara, get a taste of the Mughal way of life and the sense of luxury that enveloped Awadh in the late 18th century.

Husainabad Clock Tower, Constantia House, the British Residency, the University of Lucknow, and the many famous kothis — the Baroque-style Dilkusha Kothi, the former observatory Tare Wali Kothi, Kothi Hayat Baksh now known as the Raj Bhavan — all make for great backdrops for pretending you’re in your own period drama.

To go deeper, sign up for a heritage walk of the old city with Alphonso Stories, or with Roobaroo — their walks around Lucknow’s place in the 1857 Uprising and the First war of independence are particularly rewarding.

Or you could just hang about Lucknow’s street markets, and indulge in a feast for all senses. After visiting Bara Imambara, you might as well find yourself drawn to the colourful market of Chowk, where you’ll find lamp shades, ittar and wall paintings at throwaway prices. At Aminabad, the oldest market in Lucknow, practise your bargaining skills at shops loaded with chikankari kurtas, ittar and Zardozi fabric.

What to eat and drink

Lucknow is a street foodie’s paradise. If aloo tikki chaat is what your heart is after, head to Shukla Chaat House in Hazratganj, Radhey Lal Parampara Sweets at Chowk, or Dixit House at One Avadh Centre — each has its own signature spin on this pedestrian dish.

Dahi bhalle fans can try GPO in Lal Bagh; kachori lovers cannot miss the Bollywood-endorsed Bajpayee Kachodi Bhandaar in Hazratganj; and kebab connoisseurs must knock at the doors of Kareem Kababi in Maulviganj (galouti greatness), Dastarkhwan in Lalbagh (scintillating shammi), Mubeen’s (for their buff pasanda), and the legendary Tunday Kebabi.

When it comes to authentic Awadhi cuisine — especially delectable albeit mild biryanis fragrant with saffron and spice — you’re spoilt for choice. Try local favourite Idrees at Raja Bazaar, Alamgir in Aminabad, Naushijaan in Hazratganj (also try their Kakori kebabs), Sakhawat in Kaiserbagh (also try mutton chaap) or Azrak in Lebua (for their kofta pulao).

You might not have the appetite for libations after all this, but if you must pre-game, stop by EOS Bar and Bistro, the gastropub Molecule in GOmti Nagar, or Sky Bar on the rooftop of Renaissance hotel.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 match schedule at BRSABV Ekana Cricket Stadium Lucknow:

October 12: Australia vs South Africa: 2 pm

October 16: Australia vs Sri Lanka: 2 pm

October 21: Netherlands vs Sri Lanka: 2 pm

October 29: India vs England: 2 pm

November 3: Netherlands vs Afghanistan: 2 pm