Blessed with one of the greatest cricket pitches of India, Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium is the pride of Mohali. People from all over the world come to witness history-in-making in this stadium, as it is a memorial of phenomenal records in the field of cricket. No doubt, PCA Stadium has hosted legendary matches between teams. But are you aware of the real reasons that make it special?
Here are a few reasons why the Mohali Cricket Stadium is so famous:
The Legacy: With a budget of around INR 25 crore, the stadium took 3 years to get ready and was completed in 1992. A vision of former PCA president, the stadium was designed by Ar. Khixir and Associates, and built by R. S. Construction Company. Compared to other cricket stadiums, the floodlights make this stadium quite unique. Their height is shorter than usual floodlights so as to stay out of flight-range of the nearby airport. It is the stadium’s uniqueness that adds to the charm of this stadium!
The Pitch: PCA Stadium Mohali has the perfect pitch for batting and bowling. Inaugurated with the One Day International match between India and South Africa in November 1993, the grass of this pitch has proved helpful for pace bowlers and spin bowlers. But that’s not it! The surface of the PCA Stadium Mohali is firm enough to assist batsmen in expressing their batting skills as well!
The Accommodation: With its world class service, spacious area, and comfortable seats, the PCA Stadium Mohali provides one-of-a-kind experience to spectators. It provides a total accommodation for 26,950 people. All you gotta do is grab a bucket of popcorn and favourite soda to cheer on your team!
The Matches: Cricket matches at PCA Stadium Mohali have been etched in people’s minds for their remarkable wins and losses. The most memorable one remains the World Cup match between India and Pakistan on 30 March 2011. Attended by the then Prime Ministers of both countries, Dr. Manmohan Singh of India and Yousaf Raza Gillani of Pakistan, the match became a reason to strengthen relations between both the nations. In fact, India came out victorious in the match.
The IPL: While Mohali Cricket Stadium provides space for teams to contest against each other, it also remains a home to the Punjab IPL Team Kings XI Punjab. Moreover, it also houses the team, thereby enhancing its hospitality.
Since PCA Stadium Mohali is a site for visitors to gather, it is also surrounded by hotels, markets, and restaurants for their convenience.
The Atmosphere: The aura surrounding the Mohali Cricket Stadium is that of victory and honour. At dawn, the pitch is covered with fresh drops of dew that give strength to the players. And as the mist settles, the air becomes warmer and lively, thereby bringing in people with colourful posters and painted faces. The night, although surrounded by darkness, is lit up by eager faces and sixteen floodlights. The atmosphere at this stadium brightens up and the crowd enjoys a field full of stars!
So here are a few reasons making PCA Stadium Mohali quite famous! Have you been to this stadium for any match (or even for sightseeing)? We are excited to know your experience in the comments section below!
