The Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali is situated in Chandigarh. This is most commonly called as the Mohali stadium. This ground is by far considered as the best cricket field because of the facilities it gives to the players, spectators and the media. The ground condition is excellent and it is said that Mohali has most lively pitch. Its lush green outfield is unique in India. The second stadium of Punjab has already been approved by Board of Control for Cricket in India in Bathinda, Punjab.
The Mohali Stadium was inaugurated with a One-Day International match between India and South Africa during the Hero Cup on November 22 1993. The construction work of the stadium took 3 years to complete, and a total of 25 crores were spent. It has a total capacity for 30,000 spectators. The first Test match here was held the following season, between India and West Indies on December 10, 1994. There have also been some exciting One-day matches played on this ground.
The ground of Mohali stadium quickly gained a reputation for being an excellent peach for the seam bowlers. Several bowlers including India`s Javagal Srinath and Abey Kuruvilla, West Indian Walsh and Kenny Benjamin and New Zealand`s Dion Nash got success in this ground.
In recent years the pitch has flattened out considerably and to batsmen the Mohali stadium has become a place of feast. Kamran Akmal for Pakistan scored a century in this ground. During 1996 World cup, the semi final between Australia and West Indies took place in the Mohali cricket ground, where Brian Lara walked on 91 when umpire hesitated to raise the hands.
For the 2011 ICC World Cup PCA stadium hosted 3 matches including the nail biting second Semi-final match between India and Pakistan on March 30th, 2011 which eventually India won. The match has high profile guests like the Prime Ministers Dr. Manmohan Singh of India and his counterpart from Pakistan, Yousaf Raza.
PCA stadium is home of Kings 11 Punjab (Mohali franchisee) in the Indian Premier League.
Statistics for Punjab Cricket Association Stadium in Mohali
Test matches - 9
India won - 3
India lost - 1
Drawn - 5
Capacity: 30,000
Names of different Stands/Enclosures and their Respective Capacities
AC Lounge - 600
Pavillion Terrace - 2580
VIP Block - 5439
Chair Block - 9339
Student Block - 2500
North Pavillion - 600
PCC Members Block - 5400
Capacity of Press Box:
120 Print Media
Capacity of Media Conference Hall
120 Print Media + 30 News Channels
Name of the Two Ends
* Ambuja Cement South End Pavillion
* North End Pavillion
Size of the Playing Arena: 3.85 acres
Distance from the nearest Airport: 12kms
Distance from the nearest Railway Station: 16 kms