Overview
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, also known as the New Punjab Cricket Association Stadium, is located in Mullanpur, near New Chandigarh in the Mohali District of Punjab, India.
Established: 2021
Built By: Punjab Cricket Association (PCA)
Construction Cost: Approx. ₹230 crore
Area: 41.95 acres
Seating Capacity: 38,000
Key Features:
- World-Class Amenities: The stadium includes modern dressing rooms with steam, sauna, and ice bath facilities, a fully equipped gym, media center, and luxurious lounges.
- Innovative Ground Design: The playing field is constructed with sand instead of traditional soil, enhancing durability and water absorption. A herringbone drainage system enables water clearance within 25–30 minutes after rain.
- Scenic Location: Nestled near the Shivalik Hills, it provides a stunning backdrop for day-night matches and major events.
Historical Significance:
Named in honor of Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, the ninth and last ruling Maharaja of Patiala, the stadium celebrates Punjab’s rich contribution to Indian cricket. It also complements the legacy of the older PCA Stadium in Mohali.
Recent Developments:
In the 2024 IPL season, the stadium debuted as a venue for Punjab Kings home matches. It hosted high-profile games, including contests against Delhi Capitals and Rajasthan Royals, drawing significant fan attendance and praise for its modern infrastructure.
The pitch at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur offers a balanced contest between bat and ball. Historically, first-innings scores in T20 matches here have averaged around 166 runs. While high totals exceeding 200 are rare, with only two instances in 28 T20 matches, scores between 180 and 190 are often competitive.
Pitch Characteristics:
- Batting: The surface generally supports batters, especially after the initial overs. Batsmen who settle in can capitalize on the pitch’s consistent bounce and pace to accumulate runs.
- Bowling: Pace bowlers may find some assistance early in the innings with seam movement and extra bounce. Spinners have maintained an economy rate around 7 runs per over, indicating their effectiveness during middle overs.
Toss Consideration:
Teams winning the toss might prefer to field first, considering the pitch’s behavior and the potential impact of dew in evening matches, which can make gripping the ball challenging for bowlers in the second innings.
Overall, the Mullanpur pitch provides an equitable platform, rewarding both disciplined bowling and patient batting.
