Virat Kohli and S Smith praise pitch at HPCA Stadium

Dharamshala, March 28, 2017: With a bold 8 wicket win over mighty Australians on just the first season of the 4th days play of the 4th test in HPCA stadium Dharamshala, the venue itself has proven to be now the best for the Test Cricket—The basic game of cricket. The Indian captain Virat Kohli has already said that he is agitating over himself, why he could not play on the best batting surface available in India. And now the losing captain Smith , whose top side bundled out for mare 137 runs in the second knock, has said, “Dharamshala pitch is the best provided by Indian Board in the just concluded test series.” He earlier too said that the pitch has everything for Bowler, batter and the fielder.
It is now the hard fact that for every format of International cricket , the most beautiful HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala is the best. After the thumping success of a bunch of one dayer’s, T 20’s and other friendly international matches played here so far, the brilliant praiseworthy success of the maiden test match, just concluded today, the center is considered to be the best for International Cricket in India.
Beside its beautiful surroundings and situation in the lap of mighty snowy ranges of Dhauladhar mountains and the excellent lush green outfielfd it has the best pitch, which was plying smooth even on the fourth day. The curator Sunil Chouhan deserves the praise showered on him by both the captains, visiting experts and the players of Indian and Australian teams .
HPCA members are all happy for their excellent efforts , which turned fruitfull as the match was successfully finished. Arun Dhumal,BCCI member and the younger brother of Ex BCCI president Anuraag Thakur said, “It is really proud moment for HPCA. The international matches shall be a regular routine in Dharamshala, HPCA shall keep on working for it .”
The HPCA stadium is unique in India in that it is situated at an altitude of 1,457 mt (4,780 ft 2 in) above sea level and is the fourth highest ground in the world behind, the stadiums in Johannesburg, Nairobi and Harare. The first international team that played here was the Pakistan national cricket team, which played a match against an Indian Board President's XI in 2005. First ODI played here on 27 January 2013 between India & England and the Last ODI on 16 October 2016 between India & New Zealand. The First T20 played here on 2 October 2015 between India & South Africa and the Last T20 on 18 March 2016, Australia v New Zealand. The first One Day International (ODI) ,England won the match by 7 wickets. The first Test at this stadium was played between India and Australia from 25–28 March 2017 and India defeated Australia by 8 Wickets.
HPCA Cricket stadium set against the background of the spectacular snow clad mountains is perched on the high slopes in the upper stretches of the Kangra valley. Today, Dharamshala has turn into the synonymous to the Tibetan government in separate and the home town of Tibetan leader His Holiness Dalai Lama along with the Cricket Stadium. It is not only noted for its cool salubrious air and its stunning mountain scenery, but known for serene ambience, Rolling Meadows and spellbinding vistas.
The weather in Dharamshala provides a wonderful proviso to host an international cricket match. The best time for cricket season is from March-June and from September-December. The breeze coming directly from the mountains will facilitate the stratum bowlers. The stadium has also been selected to host two IPL matches acting as the home stadium of Kings XI Punjab, and is having floodlights installed for this understanding.
The Stadium constructed at a price of approximately 60 cores provides all the modern day facilities prevalent in other International venues across the globe. It holds a seating capability of close to 25000 spectators and shall boast of the state of the art, spacious dressing rooms with the requisite facilities, separate indoor and outdoor practice areas, latest irrigation facilities, separate press gallery, well equipped gymnasium, TV & Radio Commentators Boxes, recreational center, clubhouse, post match conference hall, and indeed one of the most picturesque scenes in the macrocosm.