Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium
Dharamshala, India
Location
Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India
Capacity
Approximately 23,000
Established
2003
Home Team
India
Pitch Type
Grass (Pace-friendly)
Overview
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is known as one of the most gorgeous cricket venues in the entire world. It’s located in Dharamshala with the spectacular Dhauladhar mountain range around it. To combine such an incredible place with world-class cricket facilities creates a unique experience.
Since opening, the stadium has been involved in all formats of international cricket and has also been the home venue for Punjab Kings.
However, the features that make this stadium special are both its aesthetics as well as the playing conditions. Unlike numerous other stadiums across India, this ground has great conditions for fast bowlers due to the grass on the pitch and the cooler nature of the weather. To accommodate this venue as an important location in developing cricket in Northern India, the stadium has around 23,000 seats and all of the amenities an international facility should have.
Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium History
Established in 2003, the stadium is situated in a very beautiful part of the world. In the beginning, it became well known throughout the world after hosting its first One Day International (ODI) Match in 2013. Over the next several years, the stadium has continuously been improved upon with new seating, improved drainage, and additional lighting. The stadium has hosted a number of international tournaments as well, including several ICC events and IPL (Indian Premier League) seasons. Many players and fans consider the present-day stadium to be one of the most beautiful cricket stadiums in the world.
Pitch Report
According to the HPCA’s pitch report, the venue is one of relatively few in India which regularly provides conditions that are conducive to fast bowlers. The high altitude, combined with cool weather conditions, means the ball seams and swings more than normal when bowled at this venue, particularly when there is grass on the pitch.
Fast bowlers will get considerable help from the conditions at the beginning of a match. The ball will usually move through the air and off the pitch, making it difficult for batsmen to settle down quickly. As such, it is common for there to be many early wickets at this venue.
As a cricket match continues, a good batting track develops as bowlers and batsmen find it easier to score runs as the game progresses through all three formats of limited-over cricket (T20I & ODI). In both cases (i.e., once again batters pass the first few overs), they are able to take full advantage of a flat wicket that has not been impacted by hitting from the batters or from natural elements such as rain.
In T20I matches, the average score is typically between 150 and 170. While the average score for an ODI match is 240-260. Both formats indicate that batters and bowlers at this venue will generally be able to succeed.
In both limited-over formats, spinners operate during the middle overs of a 50-over ODI or during the second half of the match in a T20I match; however, spinners typically will not receive the same level of assistance that fast bowlers do. Rather, they will heavily tab on their skill through variations and accuracy to control the flow of either game.
Based on past performances, captains are known to prefer winning the toss, thus electing to field first, since this allows for more potential movement of the ball early in the match for the fast bowlers. Additionally, because there is pressure to chase the score, it has been difficult to chase down a total late in the match, thus making it harder for teams to win.
Overall, this is one of the better venues in India that offers a good balance of assistance to both bowlers and batters but continually illustrates that the pitch at this stadium is slightly bowler skewed.
Boundary Length
| Side | Length |
| Straight Boundary | 70-75 meters |
| Square Boundary | 65-70 meters |
| Longest Boundary | ~75 meters |
| Shortest Boundary | ~65 meters |
These balanced boundary lengths prevent excessive scoring while still allowing batsmen to play attacking shots when set.
Highest Score / Lowest Score (IPL)
| Record Type | Score / Performance |
| Highest Team Score (ODI) | 364/9 (India vs West Indies) |
| Lowest Team Score (ODI) | 112 (Zimbabwe vs Afghanistan) |
| Best Batting Performance | Rohit Sharma – 162 |
| Best Bowling Performance | Stuart Binny – 6/4 |
These records highlight the unpredictable nature of the pitch, where both high-scoring games and low totals have been recorded.
Average Score
| Format | Average Score |
| Test | 300–350 |
| ODI | 240–260 |
| T20 | 150–170 |
| IPL | 155–165 |
The average scores indicate that this is not a typical high-scoring Indian pitch. Instead, it offers balanced conditions where bowlers often have an edge.
Toss Record
The significance of the toss at this ground is very important regarding the nature of the early pitch condition.
Chasing has a better chance to win (55% to 60%); however, both teams will also have a better chance at winning batting first (40% to 45%).
Depending on conditions, it is common for captains to choose to bowl first because they want to take advantage of early swing from the new ball. However, chasing a target at night can be quite challenging due to pressure and changes in the pitch condition.
Best Players at this Stadium (IPL)
| Category | Player | Record |
| Most Runs | Rohit Sharma | 300+ runs |
| Most Wickets | Mohammed Shami | 10+ wickets |
| Best Batting | Rohit Sharma | 162 |
| Best Bowling | Stuart Binny | 6/4 |
Players who adapt to pace and bounce tend to perform exceptionally well at this venue.
Upcoming Matches
The matches will be played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamshala, which serves as a secondary home ground for Punjab Kings during the Indian Premier League> 2026 season.
| Date | Match | Venue |
| May 4 | Punjab Kings vs Lucknow Super Giants | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala |
| May 8 | Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala |
| May 11 | Punjab Kings vs Mumbai Indians | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamshala |
These matches are expected to attract large crowds because the Dharamshala stadium is known for its scenic Himalayan backdrop and energetic IPL atmosphere.
IPL Matches at this Stadium
The stadium has hosted several matches in the IPL, primarily as a home venue for Punjab Kings.
| Match | Date | Teams | Winner |
| 1 | 2010 | KXIP vs Deccan Chargers | Deccan Chargers |
| 2 | 2011 | KXIP vs CSK | Chennai Super Kings |
| 3 | 2013 | KXIP vs MI | Mumbai Indians |
| 4 | 2015 | KXIP vs RCB | Royal Challengers Bangalore |
The venue has produced exciting IPL matches, often influenced by pace-friendly conditions. Teams with strong fast bowling units tend to perform well here.
Weather Report
Dharamshala has lower temperatures than the majority of cricket venues in India and thus has a major effect on how cricket can be played. The temperature is usually between 10°C and 25°C, depending on what time of year you are there. This lower temperature helps fast bowlers create swing and seam because of the cooler temperatures during the early morning and late evening hours.
The level of humidity at this venue tends to be average, while cloud cover is often present. Daytime overcast conditions again are favourable to the swing bowlers, making it difficult for batters to be successful.
Rain can sometimes interrupt play, mostly between the months of July and September due to the monsoon season, but all games are scheduled when there is less chance of rain.
The best months to play cricket here are between March/June and October/November. This is also when the weather is good for playing cricket.
Ticket Booking Information
You can purchase tickets for games played at this venue via official ticket sales channels.
Official website: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Webpage
Online ticketing: Via Weblane’s site
Traditional ticket counters at the stadium for in-person purchases
It is recommended that fans buy their tickets early for IPL games and international matches because of the high demand for these games. Always purchase your tickets using official ticket sources.
Location & How to Reach
You can reach this stadium via a variety of transportation methods.
Nearest Airport: Kangra Airport (approximately 15 km away)
Nearest Railway Station: Pathankot Railway Station (approximately 85 km away)
Road Access: Well connected by bus and taxi service
Travelling to this stadium provides a unique experience because visitors will have an excellent opportunity to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery along the way.
FAQ
What is the capacity of Dharamshala Stadium?
The stadium has a seating capacity of around 23,000 spectators.
Is the pitch batting friendly or bowling friendly?
It is generally bowling-friendly, especially for fast bowlers.
What is the average score at this stadium?
The average T20 score is around 150-170 runs.
How can I book tickets for matches?
Tickets can be booked online or at stadium counters.
What is the boundary length?
Boundaries range between 65 and 75 metres.
Which IPL team plays here?
Punjab Kings use this stadium as one of their home grounds.
Where is the stadium located?
It is located in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India.
