The Dharamshala Cricket Stadium is a picturesque international cricket stadium located in Dharamshala hill station of Himachal Pradesh, India.
Also known as the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (abbreviated as the HPCA Stadium), the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium is considered to be one of the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world.
Established in 2003, the world-class venue has a seating capacity of 23,000.
Situated at an altitude of 1,457 m above sea level and overlooked by the snow-capped Himalayan mountains in the background, the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium staged its first international match, a One Day International (ODI) played between India and England in 2013. Since then, the stadium has hosted 10 T20Is, nine ODIs and two Test matches so far.
Known for being the abode of spiritual leader Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has been the home ground for Himachal Pradesh cricket team and also for Team Punjab in the Indian T20 League. The HPCA stadium has also hosted several domestic matches including Ranji Trophy and few Indian T20 League matches.
Let’s have a closer look at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats.
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium T20 records and stats
Highest total
Team Punjab holds the record for the highest total at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. During an Indian T20 League match in 2011, the Adam Gilchrist-led Punjab posted 232/2 in their 20 overs against Team Bangalore. Captain Adam Gilchrist led from the front as he slammed a 55-ball 106 along with contributions from Shaun Marsh (79 not out) to post a record T20 total at the venue. In reply, Team Bangalore were bundled out for 121 in 17 overs as Punjab won the match by 111 runs.
Lowest total
The Ireland cricket team registered the lowest total at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium in the T20 format. In a rain-curtailed six-over match, Ireland could only manage 47/7 in reply to Netherlands’ 59/5 during the World T20 First Round Group A match in 2016. Meanwhile, the Punjab cricket team recorded the lowest total at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in domestic T20 cricket. Chasing 128, Punjab were bowled out for 101 in 19.3 overs against Jammu & Kashmir in an Inter State Twenty-20 Tournament match in 2017. Earlier, J&K posted 127/7 in their allotted overs to register a 26-run victory.
Most runs
Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh scored the most runs at the venue in T20 cricket. Representing Team Punjab in the Indian T20 League, the swashbuckling left-handed batter amassed 334 runs in seven matches at an average of 66.80 and a strike rate of 142.73. Marsh slammed three fifties at this venue in T20 cricket. Former Team Punjab captain Adam Gilchrist features second on the list with 295 runs in eight matches.
Most wickets
Veteran Indian spinner Piyush Chawla has bagged the most wickets at this cricket ground in the T20 format. Playing for Team Punjab in the Indian T20 League, the leg-spinner scalped 10 wickets in nine T20 matches at an average of 18.23 and an economy of 7.18. Pacer Sandeep Sharma is second on the list with 10 scalps in seven T20 games at this venue. Having represented the likes of Punjab, Rajasthan in the Indian T20 League and Punjab in domestic cricket, Sandeep bowled at an impressive economy of 6.71 and an average of 18.80.
Highest individual score
Adam Gilchrist and Rohit Sharma share the record for the highest individual score at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. Opening the batting, former Team Punjab skipper Gilchrist smashed 106 off 55 balls against Team Bangalore during an Indian T20 League match in 2011. His knock was laced with eight fours and nine sixes. Rohit Sharma also scored a 66-ball 106 in the first T20I of South Africa’s tour of India in 2015. Rohit’s knock included 12 fours and five maximums.
Best bowling figures
India spinner Amit Mishra has the best bowling figures at this venue in the T20 format. Playing for his former side Team Deccan in the Indian T20 League, the leg-spinner registered match-winning figures of 4/9 against Team Punjab in 2011. Defending 198, Mishra dismissed Ryan McLaren, Mandeep Singh, Ryan Harris and Praveen Kumar to help bowl out Punjab for 116 in 19 overs. Earlier, Deccan posted 198/2 in their allotted overs.
Highest partnership
Team Punjab’s Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh hold the record for the highest partnership at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium in T20 cricket. During an Indian T20 League match in 2011, Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh forged a brilliant 206-run partnership for the second wicket against Team Bangalore. Gilchrist hammered 106 while Marsh scored 79 not out to power Punjab to 232/2 in their 20 overs. Punjab later skittled out Bangalore for 121 to register a 111-run victory.
Photo credit: Alamy
