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Dharamsala: The fourth ODI between India and the West Indies on October 18 will be the <keyword id="98224" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh-Cricket-Association">Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association</keyword> (HPCA) stadium's first ODI game in almost two years. As the panoramic venue gears up for just its second ever international match, preparations are in full swing to ensure that both players and the crowd have an experience worth remembering. Bringing international action to the hills was never an easy task, but due to the HPCA's constant efforts over the years, the state of <keyword id="6358126" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh">Himachal Pradesh</keyword> today boasts a world-class cricket stadium. The board embarked upon a journey in the year 2000 and its the development - especially in terms of infrastructure has been immense. The growth of the association has picked up sharply since 2002, reaching almost 150 million by 2008 and a staggering 1000 millions at present.

	The reason behind the positive twist is mainly attributed to the untiring efforts being put in by the HPCA under the dynamic leadership of Anurag Thakur, who led the team from the front with full dedication and commitment which was duly complimented by the financial support in the shapes of subsidies by the BCCI.
 The foundation of the HPCA Stadium was laid by <keyword id="508455" type="POSITION" weightage="80" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh-Chief-Minister">Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister</keyword> Prem Kumar Dhumal in March 2002. It was a significant achievement for the HPCA not only because creating an international stadium in the hills was almost unthinkable, but also for playing a crucial role in the promotion of cricket in the state. Thanks to the BCCI's support, the stadium began getting its shape every passing year and in 2007, the construction was almost 75 percent complete.

	As the lush green ground matching international standards was ready for playing, the stadium even hosted some first-class matches and a prestigious three-day practice match between Pakistan and the Board President’s XI. In September 2007, the ICC inspected the stadium to include in into the list of venues for international matches, but unfortunately due to a few shortcomings related to a lack of proper hotel accommodation, the picturesque stadium had to wait for two more years before getting the clearance for ODI and Twenty20 matches.

	The ground is prepared with Bermuda and winter grass and comprises a field size of 80 yards from the centre of the square. The main square has six strips , out of which centre three has the TV camera facility. In addition, there exist two separate practice areas with eight strips for both teams. The stadium in not only furnished with modern amenities and state of art machinery, but also with proper international-quality equipment which include 11 rollers, and 4 Super Soppers.

	The stadium also gives clarion-call to the players and is very well connected with the main roads of the town. There are 13 stands and five main entries for 19,979 spectators. The stadium has two blocks, South Block (Pavillion End) and North Block (media centre). The South Block consists of magnificent dressing rooms, with luxurious facilities for players, match referee room, observer room, umpire Room, third umpire room, scorers’ room, video analyst room, corporate boxes and a VIP sitting area.
 The North Block nestles the media centre, <keyword id="55539" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="80" keywordseo="commentary">commentary</keyword> box, venue operation centre and the post-match conference area. The media centre has the capacity to accommodate nearly 150 people and by the look of it, the proceedings of the matches are clearly visible from there. There are appropriate and marked places to put cameras to cover the event live and particularly to keep a close vigil at all activities.
 In the lap of the <keyword id="52569" type="CITY" weightage="80" keywordseo="himalayas">Himalayas</keyword>, surrounded by green tress and tea gardens is the special beauty provided to players and officials called ‘The Pavillion’ by the HPCA. It is situated at a place which gives a complete view of the stadium from its rooms by using any binocular. The cottages there are eco friendly and they are commodious enough to put in more than two teams along with other supporting cricket staff. With a nice little blend of cricket and nature, the Dharamsala ODI promises to be a show-stopper.

Dharamsala's HPCA Stadium Gears Up For The Big League

<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="India" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s first-ever '<keyword id="21314368" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hybrid-pitch" source="keywords">hybrid pitch</keyword>' was unveiled at the <keyword id="20699670" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Himachal-Pradesh-Cricket-Association" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association">Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association</keyword> (<keyword id="130803" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="hpca" source="Orion">HPCA</keyword>) stadium in a grand ceremony here on Monday. The event was attended by IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and cricket dignitaries including Paul Taylor, a former England cricketer and SIS's international cricket director. "The introduction of hybrid pitches is set to revolutionize cricket in India, following their success in iconic venues like Lord's and The Oval in England," said Dhumal, who hails from Himachal Pradesh. The hybrid pitch, which combines natural turf with synthetic fibres, promises enhanced durability and consistent playability, reducing the strain on ground staff and maintaining quality playing conditions. With only 5% synthetic fibres, the pitch ensures that the natural characteristics essential for cricket are preserved. Taylor expressed gratitude towards the HPCA for their collaboration on this pioneering project. "With the <keyword id="19901177" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICC" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="ICC" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="ICC">ICC</keyword>'s approval, we're excited to see the positive impact these pitches will have on the sport, starting with installations in Mumbai and Ahmedabad next," he said. The 'Universal Machine', a critical component in installing the hybrid surface, was developed by SISGrass in 2017 and has been instrumental in the rollout of similar pitches across England's county cricket grounds. This innovation aligns with the ICC's recent sanctioning of hybrid pitches for T20 and one-day international matches, with plans to expand their use in four-day county championships starting this year. The integration of technologies like SISAir, a root aeration system, further underscores the commitment to enhancing cricket infrastructure in India. This system improves the pitch's health and resilience, benefiting players with better and safer playing conditions. SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/following-kotak-mahindra-banks-strong-q4-numbers-analysts-reset-stock-target-up-to-1900-worried-about-reputation-impact-than-financial-says-ceo/articleshow/109882571.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/following-kotak-mahindra-banks-strong-q4-numbers-analysts-reset-stock-target-up-to-1900-worried-about-reputation-impact-than-financial-says-ceo/articleshow/109882571.cms" target="_blank">Following Kotak Mahindra Bank’s strong Q4 numbers, analysts reset stock target up to ₹1,900; Worried about reputation impact than financial, says CEO</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/worldwide-tablet-shipments-grow-in-q1-2024-after-two-years-of-decline/articleshow/109876390.cms" target="_blank">Worldwide tablet shipments grow in Q1 2024 after two years of decline</a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/global-smartphone-shipments-grow-by-6-in-q1-2024-samsung-retakes-the-top-spot/articleshow/109817280.cms" target="_blank"></a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/global-smartphone-shipments-grow-by-6-in-q1-2024-samsung-retakes-the-top-spot/articleshow/109817280.cms" target="_blank">Global smartphone shipments grow by 6% in Q1 2024, Samsung retakes the top spot</a>

India's first-ever 'hybrid pitch' unveiled in Dharamshala

Watching the proceedings from the sidelines is always difficult for any player, and <keyword id="967087" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="mohammed-shami" source="Orion">Mohammed Shami</keyword> is no different. But the pace-bowling stalwart, who produced a five-star performance against New Zealand in his first match of this edition of the World Cup, asserted he always felt he was part of the team even when he was not included in the first four games. Drafted into the playing XI on Sunday against the Kiwis, Shami produced excellent figures of 5/54 and played a pivotal role in the home team's four-wicket win against New Zealand in a top-of-the-table clash in scenic <keyword id="3670" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="dharamsala" source="Orion">Dharamsala</keyword>. "I was watching everything from the bench. I will do something only when I am given the chance. When you are not playing, it is very difficult. But if your team is performing, your boys are moving in a rhythm, then I don't think you should feel guilty sitting outside," Shami said at the post-match press conference. "You are also a part of the team and a part of the World Cup. I think everyone should enjoy each other's success." The 33-year-old fast bowler said he never lost hope when he was sitting on the sidelines, and always kept a positive mindset. "Personally, I keep my outlook simple, you need to keep enjoying. In India the biggest sport is cricket. The biggest place is the place where you are sitting. "It's not necessary to be there (in the playing XI). You have 15 players. Four of them have to stay out. So, by being positive and enjoying, I feel you will get more results," Shami said. "So, I always think, I am not here today, I will be here tomorrow. If not tomorrow, then day after tomorrow. They do come in rotation. And when your time comes, you need to contribute for the team." Shami said he had full clarity about his role on Sunday and he focussed on his line and length on a pitch that wasn't offering much. "...I know everything, but it depends on what your role is, what the conditions are. You have to see everything because when the ball is not coming out of the wicket, you have to focus on the line and length. And the result is in front of you," he said. "When you start, it's very important that you get a good start for your team. That's your role. Our bowlers have chosen the right areas. We did well and we restricted them, and the result is in front of you." Shami did not single out any particular wicket he wanted to put ahead of the other four, saying they were all important. "All the wickets are good. When you play for your country, I feel every wicket is important for you. As such, I don't like any particular wicket more. I enjoy all my wickets." Coming into the match, India and New Zealand were unbeaten and Shami said there wasn't much to differentiate between the top-two sides in tournament, and the team that played better won. "When the top-two teams are playing, how they play doesn't matter, but how they have played the game matters. No. 1 and No.2 teams don't have much difference. When two top teams are playing, I think the (previous) results don't matter. Their game (on the day) matters. "I think you should look at the game, the innings, the fielding, how you have bowled. That matters more in this stage. The one who does well, wins the match," he said. Shami said that while it was good to win the toss as the wicket assisted the Indian bowlers in the first session, it was equally important to bowl in the right areas after that. "It's good (winning the toss) because, obviously, batting second helps. It does benefit (you) when you are bowling during the day. Whenever you bowl, you always look for a good area. And whenever you bowl in a good area, you will definitely get results. So, my belief is that whether you put it in the day or in the evening, you will have to hit a good area," he said. The HPCA stadium outfield here has come in for sharp criticism because of its soggy nature, but Shami said the conditions were the same for both teams. "There is no complaint because it was the same for both teams. We cannot say anything to the groundsman because he is helpless, it's his job; he tries very hard... It is not good to put a question mark on someone," he said. "The situation and the condition is the same for both teams. In India and abroad, there are ups and downs. Sometimes we play on wet grounds, sometimes we play on dry grounds. No complaints." Shami had high praise for Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, saying they all share a strong bond. "When you talk about bonding, it's very important that you play as a unit; they are my second and third partners. We have a good package. You get to see the aggression," he said. "As far as enjoying (the game) is concerned, I have told you before, that if you enjoy the success of others, you will get better results."

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Dharamsala's HPCA Stadium Gears Up For The Big League

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India's first-ever 'hybrid pitch' unveiled in Dharamshala

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Always felt part of the team: Shami after his 5-wicket haul vs New Zealand

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