The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, one of the four venues where the upcoming Champions Trophy 2025 matches will be hosted, has a glittering history. While India will not be playing their matches in Pakistan, in the past, many Indian players have played some memorable knocks at this venue. Established in 1992, the 18,000-seater stadium has been renovated as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board's 12 billion PKR investment for the mega event. One of Pakistan's most lethal fast bowlers, Shoaib Akhtar hails from Rawalpindi and he was thus nicknamed 'Rawalpindi Express'. India's past glories at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium Even though India will not be playing any matches in Pakistan, in the past, the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid have left their mark on the illustrious history of the Rawalpindi Stadium. Dravid holds the highest individual run-scorer record in Test cricket for this venue. The 'Wall of India' slammed a magnificent 270-run knock in the second innings of the Test match between the two nations on 13 April 2004. Rahul played just 1 match in Pindi, in his only inning the legendary cricketer scored 270 and he helped the Indian team create another record. Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid's heroics in Pakistan Powered by Dravid's heroics, India scored 600 runs and defeated Pakistan by an inning and 131 runs. The Indian team's effort remains the second-highest team total in Test history at this venue, England scored 657 in 2022 to surpass India's record. It was at this venue, in 2004 when Sachin Tendulkar played a gritty knock of 141 (135) during the 2nd ODI of the Samsung series. India also recorded the sixth-highest ODI total at Pindi on the same day when Tendulkar's 141 powered the Men in Blue to 317 runs. Pakistan won the match by 12 runs, having scored 329/6. Pindi stadium renovation for Champions Trophy As part of the Champions Trophy 2025 renovation, the media boxes, increased seating capacity from 15,000 to 18,000, and dressing rooms were all upgraded. The legendary stadium will host three matches during the tournament, Bangladesh v New Zealand on 24th Feb. Australia vs South Africa on 25th Feb. Pakistan vs Bangladesh, and the hosts' final group game on 27 Feb.Original Article