Wankhede Stadium Pitch Report, T20 Records & Stats 2026
📍 City: Dharamsala
🏟️ Capacity: ~25,000
🏏 Home: Punjab Kings
HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium |
| Common Name | HPCA Stadium / Dharamsala Cricket Stadium |
| Location | Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India |
| Established | 2003 |
| Capacity | ~25,000 spectators |
| IPL Role | Second Home Ground — Punjab Kings (PBKS) |
| Bowling Ends | Pavilion End & Hills End |
| Average Boundary | ~68 metres (straight) |
| Altitude | 1,457 metres above sea level |
| Flood Lights | Yes |
| Notable Distinction | Highest cricket stadium in the world; Himalayan snowcaps visible from the ground |
The most astonishing venue in the world for playing cricket is without a doubt the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium (better known as Daramsala Cricket Stadium). The cricket ground is the highest in the world (at 1457m) and is therefore the only one in the world to achieve that record. Not only is the venue the highest in the world, but it is remarkable that it is situated in the beautiful Himalayan hill station (Dharamsala).
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association manages the ground, and it was completed in 2003, and is the 2nd home ground for the Punjab Kings (IPL) and is an international venue for the Indian national cricket team. The venue has a capacity for 25,000 and with the majestic Dhauladhar mountain range in the background it provides a unique and breathtaking way to watch the sport.
In addition to a one-of-a-kind visual experience, HPCA Stadium also offers unique experiences relating to the game of cricket. Utilization of winter rye grass in the outfield was a first for Indian cricket grounds. This unique variety of grass containing Himalayan adaption characteristics stays green and firm year round even when the temperature falls below 10 degrees.
The unique design of the IHPC Stadium with its shallow tiered seating and open stands means that the Himalayan valley winds can sweep across the cricket outfield with unparalleled conditions, and it affects the way the cricket ball behaves more than any other cricket ground in the country. The stadium’s altitude of 1457 meters also means that the air is considerably thinner than at other cricket grounds, and understanding the unique characteristics of the ground is vital for making predictions about the game of cricket, as well as for selecting fast bowlers, batsmen, and for determining the outfield pace to assist in formulating a balanced fantasy cricket team.
The Pitch Report
The surface at HPCA Stadium is genuinely fast, true, and bowler-friendly, a surface that favours aggressive play with either bat or ball. However, this venue has true unique and unrivalled at the T20 level due to the unique and unrivalled at the T20 level due to its Himalayan altitude. At 1,457 metres above sea level, the air is approximately 12-15 percent less dense than at sea level. Therefore, the ball will travel 12-15 percent less dense than at sea level.
Consequently, a well-timed drive that would stop 5m short of the boundary at Wankhede or Chepauk would clear the boundary here by at least 5m. Also, pace bowlers, while at first, will seem to benefit from the carry the pitch offers. However, their ability to swing the ball once again in the traditional outswing direction is significantly reduced due to the Himalayan air.
Over 70% of the wickets here have gone to fast bowlers, and this is a result of the exceptional bounce and pace off the surface. Also, the pitch really helps with the carry to the wicketkeeper during both innings which helps fast bowlers get more wickets. Although the thin air is detrimental to bowlers, it can be advantageous for the batsmen due to the shorter carry time as the ball comes to the batsmen (especially when the bowlers throw it) which helps the batsmen get their ball quicker. Though it helps the batsmen, mistimed shots can lead to more runs and more wickets due to edges getting pulled into the gaps.
The fresh surface provides little assistance for spinners so they will have to be more careful about their positioning as altitude is increased if enough lowland spinners. These factors combined lead to more runs as the wicket provides accuracy, high scoring due to the altitude, and combined with fast scoring it increases the average of the IPL scores at this wicket.
Batting conditions at HPCA Stadium are naturally assisted due to the high altitude, and the true, fast pitch, averaging 184 runs. This average is the 4th highest for first innings totals in IPL history. In what might seem like the opposite of what is seen at other high-scoring venues in the tournament, first batting teams have outperformed second batting teams. In 8 of the 13 completed matches, first batting teams won 62%, making HPCA one of 2 IPL venues outside of Chepauk where 2nd batting teams have won less than 50% of the matches.
In the later innings, batting in the first half can accelerate runs and make the pitch skidd. With the Thin, dry mountain air at high altitudes, of the first half of the innings, and with little dew, at the end of the second half, it can become more dry, and crutial 15 to 20 overs, making it more effective to bowl. Expect first innings batters to perform well at HPCA.
Toss Bias & Win Predictor
The toss bias at HPCA Stadium is arguably the most counter-intuitive in the entire IPL, especially for those who think chasing is almost always the better option. In the 13 IPL matches that have taken place at this venue, first batting teams have won 8 matches (62%) and teams that have won the toss and batted second have only won 5 matches (38%). This is the second highest first batting advantage in the IPL, second only to Chepauk Stadium, and is the opposite of the coastal venue dew advantage chasing teams have. This is due to the unique geography around the venue.
The altitude at Dharamsala results in very little dew in the evenings, better for batting in the second innings, and air that is cold and dry makes the pitch play better for bowlers. This, combined with the mental challenge of batting in thin air during the crucial death overs means that chasing teams tend to make mistakes.
Batting First Win %
62%
Chasing Win %
38%
Verdict: The captain winning the toss should consider batting first. Batting first teams win 62% of the completed games and with the world’s highest cricket stadium entirely suppressing the dew, this is an ideal ground for setting a big score and defending it with quality fast-bowlers. With this altitude-assisted surface, it is critical to have a good fast-bowling attack to defend the total at 180+. Ideally, for this, you need two quality pacers who can extract the exceptional bounce and carry this pitch has to offer.
The only situation where chasing becomes favourable is a game where the first team scores lower than 165. Statistically, this creates an achievable ball score with the second innings at this venue. Records of 13 IPL matches are not enough to conclude, hence, keep ICC IP 2026 in mind for more data on the ground.
Key T20 Records
Average 1st Innings
184
(13 IPL matches)
Highest IPL Total
232/2
(PBKS vs RCB, 2011)
Lowest Defended
167
(PBKS vs CSK, 2010)
Wicket Split
Pace: 72%
Spin: 28%
Weather & Dew Factor
Dharamsala is located in the Kangra Valley at the base of the Dhauladhar mountain range and its location gives this venue a distinct advantage in this league unlike any other venue. While other venues experience extreme humidity and heat in April, evening matches in Dharamsala boast a pleasantly cool average of 10 to 15 degrees. While daytime temperatures in April linger in the 18 – 24 degree range, evening matches start at 10 degrees and drop to 5 degrees.
In combination with the gentle breeze blowing from the Dhauladhar range, this causes spectators and players to feel exceptionally comfortable during the matches as opposed to the extreme discomfort at other venues. This exceptional venue will help create unique situations that will allow players to showcase their skills unlike any other venue in the league.
💧 DEW FACTOR: NEGLIGIBLE — HIMALAYAN ALTITUDE ELIMINATES MOISTURE RISK. The dew conditions at HPCA Stadium are practically irrelevant and are by far the most important piece of weather information regarding this unique venue. Due to its elevation of 1457 metres HPCA Stadium has a significant reduction in moisture than all coastal or sea level venues. The Dhauladhar Himalayan range creates a stream of cold and dry air that inhibits the humidity that would create dew.
During April mornings it is not uncommon to see some light frost on the grass however this evaporates long before the evening matches and does not affect the conditions at all. Because dew is not a factor at HPCA there is no second innings batting advantage at Dharamsala, both teams bowl in completely equal conditions throughout the match and there is no weather related risk in any first innings batting decision. This is in direct contrast to the Eden Gardens and Wankhede Stadium dew situation HPCA is most likely the venue with the least dew in the entire country.
IPL Records at HPCA Stadium
Fewer than 13 IPL matches have been hosted by HPCA Stadium since it first hosted an IPL fixture in 2010, with the 2011 match being the venue’s most successful match hosting Adam Gilchrist who scored 100 runs in 55 balls and took the Punjab team to a record of 232/2. This venue has hosted some of the best Himalayan match winning performances like Adam Gilchrist and Virat Kohli who scored 92 playing for RCB.
🏏 Highest IPL Totals at This Venue
| Team | Score | Vs | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBKS | 232/2 | RCB | 2011 |
| CSK | 195/4 | PBKS | 2010 |
| PBKS | 196/5 | LSG | 2023 |
| DC | 207/3 | PBKS | 2023 |
| PBKS | 185/4 | KKR | 2019 |
📉 Lowest IPL Totals at This Venue
| Team | Score | Vs | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| PBKS | 116 | DC | 2011 |
| DC | 134/7 | PBKS | 2019 |
| KKR | 138/7 | PBKS | 2019 |
| PBKS | 155/6 | CSK | 2011 |
| RCB | 121 | PBKS | 2011 |
Best Individual Performers at Dharamsala Cricket Stadium
There are only a few players and matches recorded in the history of IPL matches at HPCA Stadium. However, a few players have recorded big finishes including Adam Gilchrist, who finished with a record 55-ball century. Virat Kohli also has the privilege to take part in this record with a 92-run fiinish at the stadium. For Gilchrist, this record has withstood the test of time but the record set by Kohli at the venue is also with great esteem as there are a few players who have great finishes at this ground.
🔥 Top Individual Scores (IPL) at This Venue
| Batsman | Score | Balls | Strike Rate | Fixture | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Gilchrist | 106 | 55 | 192 | PBKS vs RCB | 2011 |
| Virat Kohli | 92 | 47 | 195 | RCB vs PBKS | 2013 |
| Ayush Badoni | 74 | 35 | 211 | LSG vs PBKS | 2023 |
| Shikhar Dhawan | 87* | 52 | 167 | PBKS vs KKR | 2022 |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 82 | 40 | 205 | PBKS vs LSG | 2023 |
📊 All-Time IPL Run Scorers at This Venue
| Batsman | Runs | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Shikhar Dhawan | 348+ | PBKS / DC |
| Virat Kohli | 280+ | RCB |
| Prabhsimran Singh | 270+ | PBKS |
| MS Dhoni | 195+ | CSK |
| Adam Gilchrist | 175+ | PBKS |
🎯 Best Bowling Figures (IPL) at This Venue
| Bowler | Figures | Fixture | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arshdeep Singh | 4/18 ⭐ | PBKS vs LSG | 2023 |
| Sandeep Sharma | 3/12 | PBKS vs KKR | 2022 |
| Murugan Ashwin | 3/14 | PBKS vs MI | 2019 |
| Axar Patel | 3/16 | DC vs PBKS | 2023 |
| Ravi Bishnoi | 3/22 | LSG vs PBKS | 2023 |
Fantasy Cricket Tips: Playing a Match at Dharamsala Stadium
🏔️ Altitude Boosts Every Batting Pick
Any player batting at that height is able to score runs and reach a score that is above average, and signficantly increase their fantasy average. Because of the extra height, almost every player in the batting line up will score big in that game. Since every average player below line of sea will score a lot of runs above sea line players who are batting in a lower order will also score runs significantly.
⚡ Arshdeep Singh at Home = Priority Pick
Arshdeep Singh is the most players fantasy pick at this stadium and is the pick of the day. He has shown that with the extra altitude and the pitch, he can bowl very disciplinary yorkers and take many wickets with the new ball and that is why he is a pick for this venue. That is why he is also is a pick when he plays against any team in Dharamsala.
🎯 Skip Spinners — Go All-Pace Bowling
Selecting spinners as your primary bowling strategy at HPCA Stadium is equivalent to not having a clue about what you’re doing at this venue. Conditions at this venue see 72% of all wickets falling to pace bowlers. The dry thin air at this venue means there is a lack of grip for spinners to manipulate the ball to get wickets. During both innings, the quick pace bowlers will get good carry from the air and will be your best chance to bowl. Therefore, all three of your bowling selections should be pace bowlers and ideally, those who bowl during the power and death overs.
The HPCA Stadium has the most simplified and aggressive strategy of any venue for the IPL. Select all the batters, all the bowlers have to be pace bowlers and simply have faith in the batting conditions. No other ground in the IPL has such a long-lasting and high quality batting surface as this ground. Both teams play in the same conditions and the air will enhance batting quality. Back the batters, back the pace, don’t pick the spinners and let this beautiful venue do the rest.