The breathtaking cricket stadium in India: HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala

There are 30 active stadiums in India where international matches have been held in the past five years. These stadiums are spread across the length and breadth of the country. Each of them is significant in its own way. While some are compact and small, others are huge, like the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. Some are located in the heart of the city, while others are situated in the outskirts. 

Today, in this article by ZAP cricket, we will discuss one of the most scenic grounds in the country- the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium. 

HPCA Stadium is located in Dharamshala and is one the most picturesque grounds in the world. It is a dream of every Indian cricketer to play a match at this venue. The stadium is a world class cricket facility amidst the serene and panoramic landscapes of Dhauladhar Range. Since, International matches are held here frequently, the stadium has flood lights and all the modern day equipment to ensure smooth play.

The stadium was established in 2003 and has the capacity of 21,200 spectators. It is operated by Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) and is home ground for Punjab Kings and Himachal Pradesh state teams (both men and women). 

The ground lies in the midst of the Himalayan mountain range. What makes this ground a treat to eyes is the perfect blend of blue skies with lush green grass alongside huge mountain ranges covered with snow. The ground is situated at an altitude of 1,457m above sea level. However, despite all the geographical hindrance, it is well maintained by the authorities. 

About the HPCA stadium 

The two ends are named as: River End and College End. Following are the details of  first international matches played here across all the formats: 

• First Test match: 25th to 29th March, 2017, India vs Australia 
• First ODI: 27 January, 2013, India vs England 
• First T20I: 2 October, 2015, India vs South Africa
• First women’s match: 22 March, 2016, India vs England

HPCA Stadium pitch report 

The pitch in HPCA Stadium is fast and bouncy, supporting medium pacers. Moreover, heavy climate conditions too support movement of the ball during early overs. Hence, it is an ideal wicket for pacers. Other than that, the ball doesn’t turn much. Hence, as the game progresses, it gets finer to bat on. Teams winning the toss always prefer to bowl here first. 

Weather conditions and outfield in HPCA Stadium 

As the stadium lies in the laps of mountains, the weather is pretty much heavy throughout the year. Wind does play a crucial role in deciding the course of the game. 

The outfield here is slow, affecting angles and scoring areas. During the 2023 World Cup, the outfield was criticized and was marked as ‘poor amend dangerous’. Few players were injured while fielding and hence the ground maintenance was questioned by ICC. 

Records and statistics 

Test centuries 

ODI centuries 

T20I centuries 

Five wicket haul in Test cricket 

Team records

Highest score in ODI: 330/6 by India against West Indies 

Highest score in T20I: 200/3 by South Africa against India 

Lowest score in ODI: 112/10 by India against Sri Lanka q

Lowest score in T20I: 134/9 by Australia against New Zealand 

Highest score in IPL: 232/2 by Punjab Kings against Royal Challengers Bangalore