The one–day international venue, The Dharamshala Cricket Stadium (officially the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium), is considered to be among the most beautiful cricket grounds in the world. Surrounded by the stunning Dhauladhar range of mountains in Himachal Pradesh, this stadium adds nature to Indian cricket infrastructure. Snow-capped, Birds chirping, mountains’ colourful atmosphere, and cool conditions make it one of the most favourite venues among players and fans. The stadium has been hosting international matches, IPL games, and ICC tournament fixtures since 2003, when it was built, making it a big chunk of Indian cricket.
Dharamshala Cricket Stadium Overview
| Details | Information |
| Official Name | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium |
| Common Name | Dharamshala Cricket Stadium |
| Location | Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Established | 2003 |
| Owner | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association |
| Seating Capacity | Approximately 21,000–25,000 spectators |
| First ODI | India vs England, 27 January 2013 |
| First Test Match | India vs Australia, March 2017 |
| First T20I | India vs South Africa, 2 October 2015 |
| Floodlights | Yes |
| Ends | River End and College End |
| Altitude | Around 1,457 meters above sea level |
| Famous For | Himalayan backdrop and scenic beauty |
| IPL Home Venue | Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
| Pitch Type | Pace-friendly with good bounce |
| Boundary Length | Approximately 68–72 meters on most sides |
| International Status | Test, ODI and T20I Venue |
Location and Surroundings
The stadium is in Dharamshala, a serene hill station of Himachal Pradesh. Encircled by the Dhauladhar mountain range, it commands a view of no other cricket ground on earth. The cooler climate and altitude provide a unique playing condition that assists fast bowlers to find extra movement and bounce.
The venue has been called one of the prettiest stadiums by a few international cricketers, while fans coming to the ground usually make their cricket trip as part of a sightseeing excursion to Dharamshala and nearby McLeod Ganj.
History of Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
The HPCA Stadium was built by the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association in 2003. It initially staged national cricket, including Ranji Trophy games.
Eventually, the stadium went on to achieve international status with its maiden ODI played between India and England in January 2013. It quickly became a staple for international cricket play due to the world-class amenities and its breathtaking location.
Major milestones include:
| Year | Milestone |
| 2003 | Stadium inaugurated |
| 2013 | First ODI hosted |
| 2015 | First T20I hosted |
| 2017 | First Test match hosted |
| 2023 | Hosted ICC Cricket World Cup matches |
| 2024 | Hosted India vs England Test |
Stadium Capacity and Seating Arrangement
The exact capacity of the stadium varies (from 21,000 to 25,000) depending on configuration and upgrades. All seating has outstanding sight lines.
Key Seating Features
- Covered spectator stands
- Comfortable seating arrangement
- Corporate hospitality boxes
- Media and broadcasting facilities
- VIP lounges
- Modern dressing rooms
- Practice facilities
- Scenic mountain-facing stands
Its colourful seating pattern and unique Tibetan-style architecture give the venue a distinctive look compared to other cricket stadiums in India.
Boundary Length of Dharamshala Stadium
One of the most discussed aspects of the stadium is its boundary dimensions.
Approximate Boundary Measurements
| Boundary Area | Distance |
| Straight Boundary | 72 meters |
| Long On | 72 meters |
| Long Off | 72 meters |
| Extra Cover | 70 meters |
| Third Man | 70 meters |
| Square Boundary | 68–72 meters |
The dimensions can vary slightly depending on the pitch being used for a particular match. Overall, the boundaries are considered medium-sized compared to other international venues.
Also Read: Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium
Pitch Report
Dharamshala’s pitch is distinguished from others at an altitude of 1,400 meters above sea level by its weather conditions.
Characteristics
- Offers seam movement early on
- Good bounce for fast bowlers
- Once settled, batters are looking to play the ball through the medium of stroke.
- Assistance for Spinners as the match goes on
- Generally, even between bat and ball
Test and ODI fast bowlers nearly always have some help early in the innings. But once the ball gets older, batting becomes less difficult
Top Run Scorers at Dharamshala Stadium
Highest Run Scorers in ODI Cricket
| Player | Runs |
| Virat Kohli | 212 |
| Dawid Malan | 195 |
| Rohit Sharma | Notable performances |
| Joe Root | Consistent ODI scores |
| Shikhar Dhawan | Several important innings |
Virat Kohli currently holds the distinction of being among the leading ODI run scorers at this venue.
Highest Run Scorers in Test Cricket
| Rank | Player | Country | Runs | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Steve Smith | Australia | 128 | 1 |
| 2 | KL Rahul | India | 111 | 1 |
| 3 | Joe Root | England | 110 | 1 |
| 4 | Yashasvi Jaiswal | India | 93 | 1 |
| 5 | Ravindra Jadeja | India | 91 | 2 |
Steven Smith’s century remains one of the most memorable Test innings played at the venue.
Highest Run Scorers in T20I Cricket
| Rank | Player | Country | Runs | Highest score |
| 1 | Tamim Iqbal | Bangladesh | 233 | 103 |
| 2 | Shreyas Iyer | India | 147 | 74 |
Tamim Iqbal remains one of the most successful T20I batters at the ground.
Major Batting Records
ODI Records
| Record Category | Achievement | Country |
| Highest Team Total | Australia – 388/10 vs New Zealand (ICC World Cup 2023) | Australia 🇦🇺 |
| Highest Individual Score | Dawid Malan – 140 vs Bangladesh (ICC World Cup 2023) | England |
| First ODI Match | India vs England (27 January 2013) | India 🇮🇳 & England |
Additional ODI Highlights at Dharamshala Stadium
| Record | Player/Team | Country |
| Highest Run Chase | India successfully chased 274 vs England | India 🇮🇳 |
| Most Famous ODI Century | Dawid Malan – 140 | England |
| Highest Team Score in World Cup Match | Australia – 388 | Australia 🇦🇺 |
| First International Match at the Venue | India vs England ODI (2013) | India 🇮🇳 & England |
Test Records
| Record | Achievement |
| Highest Team Total | India – 477 |
| Highest Individual Score | Steven Smith – 111 |
| Best Bowling Figures | Kuldeep Yadav – 5/72 |
T20I Records
| Record | Achievement |
| Highest Team Total | South Africa – 200/3 |
| Highest Individual Score | Rohit Sharma – 106 |
| Best Bowling Figures | Paul van Meekeren – 4/11 |
IPL Matches at Dharamshala
The stadium acts as the second home ground of the Punjab Kings.
This ground has given us quite a few memorable IPL matches, as listed below:
- Virat Kohli
- Chris Gayle
- AB de Villiers
- KL Rahul
- Shikhar Dhawan
- Glenn Maxwell
- Shreyas Iyer
It helps batters take the overflow catch on high-altitude flights much more quickly, serving up entertaining competitions.
Unique Features of Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
Himalayan Backdrop
The Dhauladhar mountains under snow represent some of the most enduring images in world cricket.
High Altitude Venue
Standing about 1,457 meters above sea level, which makes it is one of the tallest places in the world where an international cricket ground exists.
Tibetan-Inspired Architecture
The pavilion is coloured with reflections of local Himalayan and Tibetan culture.
Pleasant Weather
Dharamshala overall sports cooler climes when compared to most Indian venues.
Excellent Drainage System
The planetary surface has a very rapid self-healing process after allowing trial runs to perish in the rain.
World-Class Infrastructure
Players and spectators alike benefit from modern dressing rooms, media facilities, floodlighting at night and hospitality boxes.
Balanced Playing Conditions
Matches played on this pitch are exciting because the pitch provides good opportunities to both batters and bowlers.
Why Players Love Playing at Dharamshala
Cricketers frequently praise the stadium because of:
- Spectacular mountain views
- Fast outfield
- Consistent pitch behaviour
- Cool weather
- Enthusiastic crowds
- Unique playing conditions
Many fans and players consider it among the most beautiful cricket venues globally, alongside grounds in New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia.
Conclusion
For more than one reason, Dharamshala Cricket Stadium (HPCA Stadium) is not just a cricket venue. A symbol of the harmonious coexistence of sport and nature. The stadium opened in 2003 and has since emerged as one of the major venues for international cricket in India. The ground situated with the capacity to host more than 21,000 fans, as well as state-of-the-art amenities amidst the serene backdrop of the Himalayas and elaborate establishment of balanced pitch conditions, has a unique place in the heart of every cricket fan thanks to its rich collection of unforgettable matches played within its limits across Tests, ODIs, T20Is, IPL and ICC tournaments. The home of unforgettable cricketing moments like one-day hundreds from the likes of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, as well as a T20I centurion for the ages in Akshay Kumar, a Test hundred fanfare for Steven Smith and nerve-wracking IPL hospital-ball contests – the Edgbaston continues to work its wicked spell whilst proving itself the literal most picturesque circle on earth.
FAQs on Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
1. What is the seating capacity of Dharamshala Cricket Stadium?
The Dharamshala Cricket Stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 21,000–25,000 spectators.
2. Where is the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium located?
The stadium is located in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh, India, at the foothills of the Dhauladhar mountains.
3. When was the first ODI match played at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium?
The first ODI at the stadium was played between India and England on 27 January 2013.
4. Which team holds the highest ODI total at Dharamshala Cricket Stadium?
Australia holds the highest ODI team total at the venue with 388 runs.
5. Who has scored the highest individual ODI score at the Dharamshala Cricket Stadium?
England’s Dawid Malan holds the highest individual ODI score at the stadium with 140 runs.
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