The sport of cricket in the city of Chandigarh has been significantly bolstered by the establishment of two prominent arenas, namely the Sector 16 Stadium and the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium located in Mohali. The aforementioned locations have borne witness to exceptional cricket games and commendable displays of athleticism by distinguished players. The Sector 16 Stadium holds a notable position in the annals of Chandigarh cricket. However, the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium has emerged as the primary cricket facility in the region. The present article endeavors to delve into the captivating historical accounts, indelible matches, and noteworthy records linked with the aforementioned stadiums.
History of Chandigarh Cricket Stadium (Sector 16)
Chandigarh has harbored two prominent cricket stadiums, namely the Sector 16 Stadium and the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali.
In 1966, the Sector 16 Stadium was established, featuring a seating capacity accommodating up to 30,000 individuals. This is the location where esteemed individuals such as Kapil Dev, Chetan Sharma, and Yograj Singh initiated their trajectories in the sport of cricket. In January 1985, the stadium held its inaugural One Day International (ODI) encounter, while its solitary Test match was played in 1990. Subsequent to the establishment of the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali, the Sector 16 Stadium underwent a period of diminished favor. The Sector 16 Stadium underwent a hiatus of a decade in hosting first-class cricket matches until its reemergence in 2004/05, when the Haryana cricket team played the Ranji Trophy Plate League semi-final at the venue. In October of 2007, following a hiatus lasting 14 years, a match between India and Australia was held at the Sector 16 Stadium.
The documented information pertaining to Sector 16 Stadium comprises: During the One Day International (ODI) matches, Navjot Sidhu (India) emerged as the top scorer, amassing 180 runs over two matches. On the other hand, Thirumalai Sekhar (India) showcased impeccable bowling skills, registering the best performance in an innings with a remarkable feat of 3 wickets for 23 runs. In the domain of Test matches, Ravi Shastri of India dominated the scoring charts with a noteworthy tally of 88 runs in a single match, whereas Venkatapathy Raju, also of India, delivered an exceptional performance by taking 6 wickets for a meager total of 12 runs in a single innings.
Regarding the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali, certain challenges were encountered in procuring comprehensive historical information. The aforementioned stadium currently serves as the primary location for hosting cricket events in Chandigarh. The aforementioned sports arena serves as the primary venue for the Kings XI Punjab franchise in the prestigious Indian Premier League. It has also played host to a multitude of distinguished cricket tournaments, including One Day Internationals, Test matches, and T20 Internationals featuring esteemed international teams.
Chandigarh Cricket Stadium (Sector 16) T20 records
The Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, situated in Mohali, Chandigarh, has hosted numerous exhilarating Twenty20 International (T20I) matches in the duration of its existence. Several significant triumphs have been recorded, including India’s successful encounters against Sri Lanka by a margin of six wickets in 2009, Australia by a margin of six wickets in 2016, and South Africa by a margin of seven wickets in 2019. Moreover, in the year 2016, Pakistan encountered defeats in the hands of New Zealand and Australia respectively, by significant margins of 22 and 21 runs. In a subsequent engagement in the year 2022, the Australian team achieved a triumph over their Indian counterparts by securing a lead of four wickets.
In terms of individual performances, the cricket player from India, Virat Kohli, has demonstrated an outstanding record at this particular location, achieving the highest run score in T20Is. Between the years 2016 and 2022, the individual in question exhibited a remarkable display of skill in batting by accumulating a cumulative score of 156 runs over the course of three matches.
In terms of bowling prowess, the top achievement during an innings was that of JP Faulkner, a representative of the Australian cricket team, who effectively secured 5 wickets for a mere 27 runs while facing off against the Pakistani team on March 25th, 2016. The outstanding display of skills manifested in the aforesaid accomplished feat bears immense significance to the triumph of Australia in the aforementioned contest, thus accentuating the paramountcy of proficient bowling tactics in the abbreviated format of the sport.
ODI Records
The Sector 16 Stadium in Chandigarh has witnessed noteworthy One Day International (ODI) cricket performances. In terms of bowling records, it was observed that TAP Sekhar from India attained the most commendable figures in a single innings by taking three wickets at the expense of 23 runs, whilst confronting England on January 27, 1985. Several remarkable bowling displays may be cited, such as N Kapil Dev’s performance of 2 for 17 against Bangladesh on December 25, 1990, and PAJ DeFreitas’ achievement of 2 for 31 for England versus India on January 21, 1993. Regarding batting performance, the most noteworthy achievement in an One-Day International (ODI) match held at the Chandigarh Cricket Stadium is attributed to GR Marsh from Australia, who attained an unbeaten score of 126 runs against New Zealand during the year 1987. In 2007, Australia’s ML Hayden and A Symonds obtained notable scores of 92 and 75, respectively, while playing against India.
IPL Records
The Inderjit Singh Bindra Stadium, alternatively referred to as the PCA Stadium and located in Chandigarh, has garnered a commendable number of noteworthy achievements within the Indian Premier League. The Chennai Super Kings achieved the highest team score at the stadium by scoring 240/5 against the Punjab Kings. On the contrary, the Delhi Capitals maintain the minimum aggregate as a team, ascertaining a mere 67 points against the Punjab Kings. The average first-inning score for a total of 59 IPL matches played in the stadium is observed to be 165. With respect to victory, it is noteworthy that 33 out of the 59 Indian Premier League (IPL) games were won by teams who batted second, suggesting that 55. 93% of the matches were claimed by teams who batted first. Piyush Chawla has established a notable feat by accounting for the maximum number of wickets taken by any bowler at the stadium, accumulating a total of 24 wickets from 28 games played during the period 2008 to 2019. Mohit Patel of Mumbai Indians holds the record for the highest number of wickets taken in a single match, having successfully taken five wickets during a match against Kings XI. Shaun Marsh, a member of the Punjab Kings cricket team, has achieved the highest aggregate of runs by an individual player at the stadium, amassing a total of 1064 runs across the course of 28 matches. On the 13th of April 2011, Paul Valthaty of the Punjab Kings garnered the highest personal score of 120* against the Chennai Super Kings. The stadium in question is of significant stature in India, boasting expansive dimensions of 75 meters in length and featuring straight, square pitch boundaries. The velocity of the pitch is noticeably moderate, thereby leading to a decrease in the rate at which batters are able to accumulate runs. Notwithstanding the aforementioned, pursuing a substantial objective in T20 format while playing on this particular field is generally not perceived as an arduous undertaking. One notable challenge faced by bowlers pertains to their ability to bowl effectively in the presence of dew, which is a prominent element in the functioning of this particular stadium.
Chandigarh Cricket Stadium (Sector 16) Famous matches
The Sector 16 Stadium, otherwise referred to as the Chandigarh Cricket Stadium located in India, possesses a noteworthy historical background, notwithstanding its limited sporting event hosting experience. The aforementioned terrain was the starting point of the cricketing journeys of esteemed personalities such as Kapil Dev, Chetan Sharma, and Yograj Singh. The aforementioned stadium, which held its inaugural One Day International (ODI) match in January of 1985 and its solitary Test match in 1990, experienced a dearth of first-class cricket for a decade following the erection of the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali. The aforenoted scenario witnessed a transformation subsequent to the conduct of the Ranji Trophy Plate League semi-final by Haryana in the year 2004/05. Moreover, after a period of fourteen years, another match ensued between India and Australia in October of 2007.
Throughout its historical trajectory, the stadium has borne witness to noteworthy and remarkable performances. Navjot Sidhu of India garnered the highest aggregate run tally across two matches in the One Day International (ODI) cricket format totaling to 180 runs. Geoff Marsh, the Australian cricketer, currently holds the record for the highest individual score in a single innings, remaining unbeaten with a total of 126 runs. On the 8th of October 2007, India and Australia established a team record by amassing a total of 291 runs with a loss of only four wickets. In relation to the sport of cricket, Kapil Dev of India holds the record for the highest number of wickets obtained in aggregate across three matches. Specifically, he accrued four wickets. Notably, the optimal performance in a single innings of bowling was achieved by Thirumalai Sekhar, also of India, who secured three wickets while only conceding a total sum of 23 runs. Notable performances in One Day International (ODI) matches comprise of Geoff Marsh’s unparalleled score of 126 runs for Australia against New Zealand and Navjot Singh Sidhu’s unbeaten 104 runs for India against Bangladesh.
Ravi Shastri from India recorded the highest individual score in a single match of the Test format, accumulating a total of 88 runs. India achieved the pinnacle of team scoring in a Test by amassing a total of 288 runs against Sri Lanka. The bowler from India, Venkatapathy Raju, achieved the highest number of wickets in a single match, amassing a total of 8 wickets. The exceptional bowling performance in question, consisting of six wickets for a mere twelve runs, is lauded as the most remarkable instance of an outstanding bowling performance in an innings at the present venue. This exemplary display was exhibited in a fixture against Sri Lanka on the 23rd of November, 1990.
FAQ
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Conclusion
The cricket venues located in Chandigarh, specifically the Sector 16 Stadium and the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium situated in Mohali, have been witness to numerous riveting cricket contests and extraordinary displays of athletic prowess over the course of their past. In the nascent period, when illustrious figures such as Kapil Dev and Geoff Marsh adorned the grounds of Chandigarh, to the contemporary epoch with celebrated luminaries like Virat Kohli, these venues have facilitated a plethora of cricketing encounters. The venues in question have borne witness to an array of unforgettable moments, encompassing the excitement of T20, the drama inherent in ODIs and the endurance required by Test matches. The enduring allure of cricket among enthusiasts in Chandigarh has imbued local stadiums with a sense of reverence for the sport, symbolizing the city’s deep-rooted passion for the game.