The picturesque stadium in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamsala town is all set to host international cricket matches with the International Cricket Council (ICC) giving it clearance, an official said on Friday.
The ICC has approved the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium for hosting one-day international (ODI) and Twenty20 matches, HPCA press secretary Mohit Sood said.
He said former Australian cricketer and ICC match referee David Boon visited the stadium Dec 12 last year to check infrastructure for hosting international matches.
"The setting and outlook of this venue is outstanding, being located in the shadow of the Himalayan mountains, making it one of the most unique in the cricketing world," Boon said in a report.
HPCA officials said the stadium's popularity soared with the hosting of five IPL matches in the past two IPL seasons.
It's being counted as the second home ground for the Kings XI Punjab team, which originally belongs to Mohali near Chandigarh.
The stadium, 250 km from state capital Shimla, has a 20,400-seating capacity, besides separate practice areas, a club lounge, restaurant, bar and banquet hall.
It figured first on the international cricket map in 2005 when it hosted a warm-up tie between the touring Pakistan team and the Indian Board President's XI. Since then, the stadium has hosted 24 matches in the Ranji Trophy, apart from hosting two ODIs between India Under 19 vs Australia Under 19 on September 24 and 25, 2005.
I'd say that one leads to the other though.As ****ing ridiculous as the Ranji trophy can get. The biggest problem is the first innings bonus, flat pitches and the like are minor in comparison.
Not necessarily as that just means if you lose the toss you're screwed potentially.I'd say that one leads to the other though.
Disagree entirely. The fact that you get a couple extra points for having a first innings lead would not be a problem in the slightest if the pitches were lively enough to ensure you couldn't just bat on ad infinitum.As ****ing ridiculous as the Ranji trophy can get. The biggest problem is the first innings bonus, flat pitches and the like are minor in comparison.
Yeah its not a problem in the above scenario but its horrible when its a road or when the team only really needs to win the first innings bonus. Its also not ideal when conditions are usually easier first up. I think its got more going against it than for it.Disagree entirely. The fact that you get a couple extra points for having a first innings lead would not be a problem in the slightest if the pitches were lively enough to ensure you couldn't just bat on ad infinitum.
Obviously the combination of the two is a disaster; I was just saying that I think the flat pitches are the root of the problem more than the first innings point. I'm a strong believer in first innings points tbh.Yeah its not a problem in the above scenario but its horrible when its a road or when the team only really needs to win the first innings bonus. Its also not ideal when conditions are usually easier first up. I think its got more going against it than for it.
Disagree. I think flat pitches are not as bad as something that encourages winning half the game and throwing the rest.Obviously the combination of the two is a disaster; I was just saying that I think the flat pitches are the root of the problem more than the first innings point. I'm a strong believer in first innings points tbh.