The Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali is a cricket ground located in Chandigarh.
Formerly known as the PCA Stadium, the venue was renamed in 2015 after Inderjit Singh Bindra - an IAS officer and former President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) who served as a cricket administrator for over four decades from 1975.
The IS Bindra Stadium also known as Mohali Stadium was established in 1993. The venue hosted its first Test match on 10th December 1994 between India and West Indies. India have played 13 times at the venue, winning seven times, losing once and drawing on five occasions.
The pitch at the Mohali stadium has traditionally assisted pace bowlers although over the last few years, the surface has become batting friendly.
The IS Bindra Stadium has a seating capacity of 25,000 spectators and is the 19th Test venue in India. One of the unique attributes of the stadium are the floodlight pillars, which are situated at a low height for easy passage of planes from the nearby airport.
From legendary batter Sachin Tendulkar surpassing Brian Lara’s tally of 11,953 runs against Australia to become the highest run-getter in Test cricket to Anil Kumble notching his 500th Test wicket against England, the IS Bindra Stadium has witnessed many landmark moments.
Indian middle-order batter Virat Kohli is also set to play his 100th Test match at the venue.
PCA IS Bindra Stadium Test records
Highest team total: New Zealand’s 630/6 against India in 2003 is the highest team score at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali. Batting first, the Kiwis rode on centuries from four batters - Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Scott Styris and Craig McMillan - as they recorded the joint second most number of centurions in a Test inning. India managed to score 424 in return and after following on, the Test ended in a draw.
Lowest team total: India’s 83 all-out against New Zealand in 1999 is the lowest score at the PCA’s IS Bindra Stadium. The Indians were bundled out for a paltry total after a six-wicket haul from pacer Dion Nash. New Zealand scored 215 in reply but the Indian batters stood tall in their second innings to put 505 runs on the board and end the match in a draw.
Most runs: Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar has scored the most runs at the venue. Tendulkar has scored 767 runs across 18 innings including five fifties and one hundred.
Highest partnership: India’s batting pair of Gautam Gambhir and Rahul Dravid hold the record for the highest batting partnership at the venue. The duo put on a record 314-run stand for the second wicket against England in 2008.
Most wickets: India’s Anil Kumble with 36 wickets in seven Tests has the most dismissals at the PCA IS Bindra Stadium. Jumbo, as the legendary spinner is fondly called, has picked two fifers including best bowling figures of 9 for 146 against England in 2006.
PCA IS Bindra Stadium domestic records
Highest team total: A Yuvraj Singh masterclass of 187 runs during the 2015-16 Ranji Trophy season guided Punjab to 608, which is the highest team total in first-class cricket at this venue.
Lowest team total: Punjab bowlers Gagandeep Singh and Vineet Sharma took five wickets each as they bundled out Andhra for a mere 30 runs in an Elite Group match in the 2003-04 Ranji Trophy season. It is the lowest team total at the IS Bindra Stadium in first-class cricket.
Highest partnership: Gurkeerat Singh and Gitansh Khera scored a double century and a ton respectively against Railways during their 2015-16 Ranji Trophy campaign as they stitched together an unbeaten 306-run partnership. It remains the record partnership at the venue in first-class cricket.
Best bowling figures: In the same match where Gurkeerat Singh and Gitansh Khera scripted history, their teammate Varun Khanna registered the best bowling figures of 8/97 at the venue.
Highest individual score: Punjab opener Shubman Gill played a fantastic knock of 268 during an Elite Group B match against Tamil Nadu in the 2018-19 Ranji Trophy campaign. It is the highest individual score in first-class cricket at the venue.
Featured photo: AFP / Sajjad Hussain
