Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is an international cricket stadium in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. It is the home ground of the Himachal Pradesh cricket teams and also the headquarters of the state cricket association. The stadium is known for its mountain location and scenic views.
It has hosted major ICC events. In the 2016 ICC World T20, it was one of the selected venues and hosted group matches. The India vs Pakistan match was originally planned here but later moved to Kolkata due to security reasons.
In the 2023 Cricket World Cup, it hosted 5 matches including India vs New Zealand. However, there were concerns about the outfield being uneven. The stadium is also part of the Asian Cricket Council Centre of Excellence setup. It was planned in 2015 to develop cricket facilities and training in the region.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium Pitch
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium pitch in T20s is slightly on the high-scoring side but not flat like some other Indian grounds. Recent T20 data shows average first innings score around 179 runs. Teams batting first often try to go beyond 180 to feel safe.
The pitch gives around 6 wickets per match on average in recent games. So bowlers also stay in the contest. Highest T20 score here is 241. This shows big totals are possible. Lowest defended score is 167. That means even 160–170 can sometimes be competitive.
The ground has played only a few T20 matches. So data is limited here. It has supported batters and bowlers almost equally. First innings is usually better for scoring. The scoring is around 179 average compared to 151 in second innings. So batting first can be slightly easier for setting a target.
Big names have performed here. Virat Kohli has scored well at this venue. Bowlers like Ravindra Jadeja and Mohammed Siraj have also taken wickets here. The stadium is a ground where both batting and bowling can work. But teams usually aim for 180+ to stay safe.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium Features
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is located in Dharamshala. It sits at a high altitude of about 1,457 metres above sea level.
It was planned earlier to be built in Shimla, but that plan failed because the Army did not approve the land. After that, the project was shifted to Dharamshala and the stadium was built there.
It is known for its scenic setting with snow-covered Himalayan mountains in the background. Travel to the stadium can be difficult in winter due to cold weather, rain, and snow.
The ground is used for domestic matches by Himachal Pradesh teams. And has also hosted IPL matches, including games where Punjab Kings used it as a home venue.
It has also hosted international matches. The first ODI here was India vs England in 2013, which England won. The first Test match was India vs Australia in 2017, which India won.
Because of its high altitude, the ball travels faster in the air. So it is known as a good venue for big hitting and sixes. Adam Gilchrist once hit a famous IPL century here, including a very long six of about 122 metres.
FAQs
Q. Where is HPCA Stadium located?
A. The stadium is in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.
Q. What is special about this stadium’s location?
A. It is about 1,457 metres above sea level with Himalayan mountain views.
Q. What is the pitch like at this stadium?
A. It is slightly high-scoring with an average T20 first innings score around 179.
Q. What score is considered good here?
A. Around 180+ is usually needed to feel safe in T20 matches.
Q. Does the altitude affect play here?
A. The high altitude helps the ball travel faster. This makes it good for big hitting.
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