HPCA Stadium records: Most runs, wickets and more

Situated in the city of Dharamshala, the HPCA Stadium is known for its picturesque views amidst the backdrop of the gorgeous snow-capped Himalayan mountains. As one of the venues hosting matches in the upcoming ODI World Cup 2023, we look at all the HPCA Stadium records ahead of this tournament, breaking down the most runs scored, most wickets, and more.

As the highest cricket ground in the world, the HPCA Stadium serves as the home ground for the Himachal Pradesh cricket team for Ranji Trophy matches and other domestic matches. The stadium is one of the newest stadiums in the country which can house roughly around 23,000 spectators. 

Known for its openness and small-sized stands, this facility allows for winds to sweep across, giving fast bowlers assistance in the air. With the expansion of IPL from 2010 onwards, HPCA Stadium became a popular destination to host the IPL games. 

Most recent match at the HPCA Stadium

Before we look at all the latest HPCA Stadium records, let’s find out what happened when two sides last clashed with one another at this venue.

During the 66th game of IPL 2023 on May 19, Punjab Kings (PBKS) went head-to-head against Rajasthan Royals (RR) in a nail-biting thriller. PBKS posted a competitive first innings total of 187-5 riding along the heroics of Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma, and Shahrukh Khan who made scores of 49 (31), 44 (28), and 41 (23) respectively.

Yashasvi Jaiswal gave RR a bright start but following his dismissal, Devdutt Padikkal and Shimron Hetmyer went ballistic during the middle overs which saw RR clinch a closely contested victory. Bowlers from both sides proved to be quite expensive but Kagiso Rabada and Navdeep Saini managed to pick two and three wickets respectively.

Rajasthan Royals (189/6) beat Punjab Kings (187/5) by 4 wickets in Dharamsala; PBKS eliminated from playoffs race#IPL2023 #PBKSvRR

Follow live score and updates:https://t.co/u5ZxjoZV14

— HT Sports (@HTSportsNews) May 19, 2023

HPCA Stadium records

Here is a run-down of some of the eye-catching stats posted here at the HPCA Stadium spanning all formats:

Here’s a detailed look at some of the specific HPCA Stadium records, based on T20, ODI, and Test performances.

ODI records at the HPCA Stadium

The HPCA Stadium has hosted a limited number of ODIs to date. The venue has predominately been the prime venue for several IPL games. With very few ODIs being played, here’s a snapshot of all the most important ODI records of the HPCA Stadium:

Total matches	4
Matches won batting first	1
Matches won bowling first	3
Average 1st Inns scores	214
Average 2nd Inns scores	201
Highest total recorded	330/6 (50 Ov) by IND vs WI
Lowest total recorded	112/10 (38.2 Ov) by IND vs SL
Highest score chased	227/3 (47.2 Ov) by ENG vs IND
Lowest score defended	330/6 (50 Ov) by IND vs WI

Looking at these HPCA Stadium records in ODIs, the pitch most certainly favors the team batting second as chasing has proven to be difficult on many occasions. There are some favourable bowling conditions on offer which the bowlers can exploit but once the batters get their eye in, big totals can also be posted. 

T20I records at the HPCA Stadium

The HPCA Stadium has hosted a plenty of IPL games and other T20Is that have entertained the fans in the past decade. Here’s a rundown of all the most important T20I records:

Total matches	11
Matches won batting first	4
Matches won bowling first	6
Average 1st innings score	137
Average 2nd innings score	128
Highest total recorded	200/3 (19.4 Ov) by RSA vs IND
Lowest total recorded	47/7 (6 Ov) by IRE vs NED
Highest score chased	200/3 (19.4 Ov) by RSA vs IND
Lowest score defended	59/5 (6 Ov) by NED vs IRE

Although the average first innings score appears to be on the lower side, the HPCA Stadium has seen some high-scoring thrillers that have gone down the wire. Most notably, South Africa’s epic run chase of 200 in 2015 T20I series against India holds a place in the HPCA Stadium records book.

Test match records at the HPCA Stadium

The HPCA Stadium has only hosted one test match between India and Australia back in 2017. Here’s a rundown of all the most important HPCA Stadium test records from the one-off test match:

Total matches	1
Matches won batting first	0
Matches won bowling first	1
Average 1st innings score	300
Average 2nd innings score	322
Average 3rd innings score	137
Average 4th innings score	106
Highest total recorded	332/10 (118.1 Ov) by IND vs AUS
Lowest total recorded	137/10 (53.5 Ov) by AUS vs IND

With just one game has been played at this venue, it would be wrong to draw any premature conclusions. However, by looking at the average score per innings, we can notice a sharp decline from 300 to 106 which shows that batting can get progressively difficult as the day goes on.

Understanding the HPCA Stadium

Now we are done reviewing the key statistics of the HPCA Stadium, let's try to dissect the pitch and the ground conditions in more detail.

Pitch and ground conditions

With regards to the shortest format of the game, the deck at HPCA Stadium is relatively flat and can offer a lot of runs for teams batting first. Any team would want to bat first and put 170+ on board. Spinners may play their part in the middle overs to stem the flow of runs. However, in recent times, chasing at this venue has been a little tricky as the pitch helps the quick-pace bowlers. Since the ground is situated at a high altitude, bowlers can leverage the breeze to wreak havoc on the batsmen.

With respect to the longer format of the game, the pitch stays firm and true during the first two days of the test match where the ball comes onto the bat nicely. However, it doesn’t take long for the surface to deteriorate and by the fourth and fifth day of the test match, the ball starts turning square. 

Typical weather conditions

Sitting at 1457 meters above sea level, the weather in Dharamshala is typically very chilly and can get very windy. The majority of cricket is only played during the summertime when the conditions are favorable. The harsh winters, during which it rains and snows, can be deterrents to organizing international matches. In addition, the dew becomes a major factor in the evening if you're playing during the September-March period. That's the reason why the HPCA Stadium records show that teams prefer to chase at this venue. 

During winter time, temperatures drop to below 0 C and the snow descends on the entire stadium. The HPCA Stadium is the first venue in India to use winter rye grass scattered around the outfield, which prevents the grass from dying when temperatures fall below 10 degrees.

PBKS vs RR: IPL 2023 Records & Stats at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala https://t.co/pTd6auUyNw pic.twitter.com/DHxsoC0eYt

— CrickTale Official (@CricktaleO) May 19, 2023

Ground dimensions

The HPCA Stadium is known to have bigger boundaries than the usual ground in India. Here’s a look at the average dimensions that are subject to change:

The HPCA Stadium has one of the bounciest pitches in the country, with a decent amount of grass cover. The ground dimensions exceed the minimum requirement of 65 yards (59.43 m) on either side of the pitch.  

Latest video from HPCA Stadium Dharmashala, Pitch work mode on ..

Believe this "ICC World Cup 2023 Matches Create Beauty of Heaven here" 💯 pic.twitter.com/fhKHqmLjjZ

— Baljeet (@Motera_Stadium) July 15, 2023

HPCA Stadium and the 2023 ODI World Cup

The HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala will host five games of ODI WC 2023 starting from October 7. Teams such as Bangladesh, and New Zealand will play two games at this venue, while other teams like Australia, South Africa, England, Netherlands, and Afghanistan also have a game at this venue. 

As the World Cup draws near, the attention of all the fans has turned to this venue, which not only has the potential to offer breathtaking views but also some quality cricketing entertainment, with some HPCA Stadium records bound to be broken over the coming months.