International venue · Himachal Pradesh

HPCA Stadium, Dharamshala

Kangra district, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh. 9 completed matches stored since 18 Oct 2024.

Capacity 21,200
Opened 2003
2 Tests
9 ODIs
11 T20Is
Floodlit

Photo: BibhasCD, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

HPCA Stadium: key facts

HPCA Stadium is an international cricket ground in Dharamshala, set against the Dhauladhar range. Opened in 2003, it is home to Himachal Pradesh cricket and has hosted Tests, ODIs, T20Is, IPL games and five matches at the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup.

Location: Kangra district, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh
Capacity: 21,200ESPNcricinfo lists 21,200; ICC, Cricbuzz and Al Jazeera use a rounded 23,000 figure.
Opened: 2003
First international: 27 January 2013India v England, 1st ODI
Owned or run by: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association
Home teams: Himachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh women, Punjab Kings (IPL)
Ends: River End and College End
Floodlights: Yes
Former names: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium; Dharamshala Cricket Stadium
Status: International venue

International matches hosted

2Tests
9ODIs
11T20Is
2Women's T20Is

Counts up to 6 June 2026; first international 27 January 2013.

HPCA Stadium pitch report

How the surface usually plays, then the figures from completed matches stored at this ground (average first-innings score is the median).

The venue generally offers good scoring conditions, with altitude helping the ball carry. Its open layout can give fast bowlers movement in the air, while evening dew can make the chase easier in cooler months. The surface is not documented as a specialist spin track; match conditions and weather remain important.

High altitude can improve carry and the speed at which the ball travels.
Open stands allow wind to assist seam bowling.
Winter rye grass is used around the outfield to cope with cold weather.
Dew can become significant in evening matches, especially from September to March.

Pitch and toss figures from stored matches

Pitch and toss figures at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium by format
Format	Matches	Avg 1st innings	Bat-first wins	Chose to bowl	Toss winner won	Highest total
T20 and shorter	6	216	50%	100%	50%	254/5 Royal Challengers Bengaluru, 26 May 2026
One-day (ODI and List A)	1	194	0%	100%	100%	195/3 India, 13 Jun 2026
Test and first-class	2	210	50%	100%	50%	436/9 Himachal Pradesh, 13 Nov 2024

Upcoming matches at HPCA Stadium

No upcoming fixtures at this ground are confirmed.

History of HPCA Stadium

The ground was established in 2003 after plans for an international venue at Shimla’s Annadale could not proceed. It became the principal home venue for Himachal Pradesh teams and the headquarters of the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association. Its hill setting and winter conditions have shaped the schedule, but the venue has continued to receive domestic and international fixtures.

International cricket arrived on 27 January 2013, when India played England in the first ODI at Dharamshala. India’s next ODI at the ground, against the West Indies on 17 October 2014, produced a 330 total and a Virat Kohli century. The first T20I followed on 2 October 2015, India versus South Africa.

The BCCI selected Dharamshala as one of six new Test venues in November 2015. Its first Test, India against Australia from 25 to 29 March 2017, ended in an Indian victory. The ground also staged the women’s T20I matches of the 2016 World T20 and has hosted IPL fixtures, including Punjab Kings home games.

Dharamshala was allocated five matches at the 2023 men’s ODI World Cup: Bangladesh–Afghanistan, England–Bangladesh, South Africa–Netherlands, India–New Zealand and Australia–New Zealand. Tournament coverage noted the venue’s short boundaries and mountain location. The 2024 India–England Test added another major red-ball fixture.

The venue remains active for international and domestic cricket. ESPNcricinfo describes an open ground where wind can aid fast bowlers and notes the use of winter rye grass on the outfield. Match data through 11 October 2026 include India’s 13 June 2026 ODI against Afghanistan; at a 6 June 2026 cutoff the last match is the 14 December 2025 T20I.

Milestones

2003
HPCA Stadium was established in Dharamshala.
2010
The expanded IPL brought the venue wider national attention and it hosted Punjab’s home fixtures.
2013
India and England played the ground’s first ODI on 27 January.
2015
The stadium staged its first T20I and was selected as a new Test venue.
2017
India and Australia played the first Test at Dharamshala from 25 to 29 March.
2023
Five matches of the men’s ODI World Cup were held at the venue.
2024
India and England played the fifth Test of their series at Dharamshala from 7 to 9 March.

Famous matches at HPCA Stadium

27 January 2013
India v England, 1st ODI
This was the ground’s first ODI. England won by seven wickets.
25 March 2017
India v Australia, 4th Test
Dharamshala’s inaugural Test ended with India winning by eight wickets.
22 October 2023
India v New Zealand, 21st match, 2023 World Cup
India chased 274 with Virat Kohli making 95, completing a six-wicket win.
7 March 2024
India v England, 5th Test
India won by an innings and 64 runs, with centuries from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill.

HPCA Stadium records

Researched ground records, checked against at least one published scorecard source.

Ground records at HPCA Stadium
Record	Figure	Match
Highest Test total	477	India v England, 2024
Lowest Test total	137	Australia v India, 2017
Highest men’s ODI total	388	Australia v New Zealand, 2023
Highest individual international score	140	Dawid Malan, England v Bangladesh, ODI, 10 October 2023
Highest T20I total	200/3	South Africa v India, 2025

How to reach HPCA Stadium

Nearest airport: Kangra Airport (Gaggal), about 8 km from the stadium via hilly roads.
By train: Pathankot/Chakki Bank are the nearest major rail options; continue by road to Dharamshala.
By road: Dharamshala is reached by road from Kangra, Pathankot and Chandigarh; the stadium is in the town’s HPCA area.
Address: Dharamsala, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh 176215, India

HPCA Stadium: questions and answers

When was HPCA Stadium built?

It was established in 2003.

What is HPCA Stadium’s capacity?

ESPNcricinfo lists 21,200 seats. Some ICC and venue descriptions give a rounded figure of 23,000.

Who owns HPCA Stadium?

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association owns and operates the stadium.

Which teams use HPCA Stadium as a home ground?

It is the home venue of Himachal Pradesh teams and has also hosted Punjab Kings IPL home matches.

What was the first international match at HPCA Stadium?

India v England, the first ODI at the ground on 27 January 2013.

How does the Dharamshala pitch play?

The high-altitude venue usually provides carry and can assist fast bowlers through the air. Dew may affect evening matches, while the surface often supports scoring.

More cricket stadiums in India

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Sources for this stadium guide