Dharamsala cleared to host internationals

[sumvell]

The picturesque Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium in Dharamsala has been approved by the ICC to host international one-dayers and Twenty20 matches. The venue was inspected by ICC match referee and former Australia batsman David Boon last month and the approval was conveyed to the association yesterday morning, according to Mohit Sood, the HPCA's press secretary. "It is a very important decision [for us]," Sood told ESPNcricinfo. "We don't have any other ground in the state that can host ICC-approved international matches. This is the first ground in Himachal Pradesh." At an altitude of 1317 metres above sea level and with the snow-capped Dauladhar hill-range rising in the background, the stadium is arguably India's most beautiful. It has hosted a number of IPL matches over the past couple of years, serving as the second home for the Kings XI Punjab franchise. It was the IPL experience that convinced the association that they were capable of hosting international games. "After that we approached the BCCI to take the case forward [with the ICC]," Sood said. The process began two years ago and this was the second inspection of the stadium, which has a capacity of 23,000 and is located 250 km from the state capital, Shimla. The first time around, the HPCA were told that their security arrangements and the infrastructure for the players were not adequate. Since Dharamsala does not have hotels of the standard required by the ICC, Sood said that they built their own in the form of a residential academy to house the players and improved security to the point where their procedures passed muster. He expects the opportunity to see live international games to motivate more people in the state to take up the game and, thereby, improve the overall quality of their cricket. "As it is, with the creation of infrastructure, our team is doing well at the domestic level. In the near future, we will have players from the state representing India." source: cricinfo best news in Indian cricket for a while....It's an awesome stadium...love watching a match against the backdrop of the Himalayas. stadium right now is snow covered

[Sid]

:woot:

[ganeshran]

Good news for Sir Jaan

[akshayxyz]

good news, it is quite a picturesque location, and a good change from other playing conditions across India.

[Sidhoni]

:aha: Beautiful location It must be an outstanding feeling playing cricket there.

[Number]

good news ..can be one of the most beautiful intl grounds.

[Stuge]

wah !! SJ will go mad

[Malcolm Merlyn]

:woot: The weather is cool.Can they get some green pitches in their?

[Singham]

Awesome news. I have been there twice. Great memories.:two_thumbs_up:

[DomainK]

Superb. Now we can say that team India has taken cricket to a height.

[Number]

Superb. Now we can say that team India has taken cricket to a height.

:haha::giggle:

[Pak_Fan_4_Eva]

Wow! What a picturesque setting for a Cricket match!:icflove:

[Prakat]

The only ground where you can hit a six and feel so small...

[deathmonger]

:woot: The weather is cool.Can they get some green pitches in their?

This. High time we introduced green tracks at home. We can experiment with SL when they come over.

[chainsmoker1985]

That pitch has lots of bounce and there won't be any empty seats in any Intl Cricket matches :two_thumbs_up: This will also take sledging to new heights. Batsmen can say- I will hit your 'balls' on that hill top.:cantstop:

[Tapioca]

Except against Pakistan

[bulbul]

thats a Batting Pitch going by IPL

[cowboysfan]

I thought it was at a higher elevations,its almost at the same elevation as bangalore.

[deathmonger]

I thought it was at a higher elevations' date='its almost at the same elevation as bangalore.[/quote'] bangalore is at higher elevation cause of the plateau. everything around it is at a higher elevation. dharamsala is surrounded by plains.

[daryl1985]

Wow! What a picturesque setting for a Cricket match!:icflove:

Beautiful view.