Dharamsala to Host International Cricket Matches

The picturesque stadium in Himachal Pradesh's Dharamsala town is all set to host international cricket matches with the International Cricket Council (ICC) giving it clearance.

The stadium's popularity soared with the hosting of five IPL matches in the past two IPL seasons. It's being counted as the second home ground for the Kings XI Punjab team, which originally belongs to Mohali near Chandigarh.

The stadium, 250 km from state capital Shimla, has a 20,400-seating capacity, besides separate practice areas, a club lounge, restaurant, bar and banquet hall.

It figured first on the international cricket map in 2005 when it hosted a warm-up tie between the touring Pakistan team and the Indian Board President's XI. Since then, the stadium has hosted 24 matches in the Ranji Trophy, apart from hosting two ODIs between India Under 19 vs Australia Under 19 Sept. 24 and Sept. 25, 2005.