Cricket in India continues to scale new heights, and the Sissu village in the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh is all set to house the world’s highest cricket stadium.
The proposal for a multi-facility stadium, based in the Lahaul-Spiti district, which is 10,000 feet above sea level, has been discussed since 2013 between the District Cricket Association of Lahaul-Spiti, Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HCPA), and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
The altitude for the proposed stadium in Sissu will eclipse the Chail cricket ground, currently the world’s highest cricket stadium at 8,000 feet above sea level.
One of the earlier roadblocks for the project was that the allocated land - about 12.5 acres - faces a threat from avalanches and snowstorms from the Shashin and Thang gompa glaciers that block the Chandra river. The village of Sissu is situated on the right bank of the river.
Additionally, the world’s highest cricket stadium project - which will have a 10,000 seating capacity - will be fully funded by the tribals, unlike the various cricket venues in the country. The reason being the HPCA stadium in Dharamsala is already registered with the cricket association, and financial assistance has been directed to them ever since.
Which is the world’s highest cricket stadium?
The Chail cricket ground, built in the year 1893, is currently the world’s highest cricket stadium. Set in the state of Himachal Pradesh in India, this cricket ground is in the scenic hill station of Chail and is also used for polo.
Maharaja of Patiala Bhupinder Singh, one of the earliest contributors to Indian cricket and a contender to be the first cricket captain of India, oversaw the development of the Chail cricket ground and often played matches against the British.
Today, the ground is under the jurisdiction of the Indian army and the Chail Military. With no international or first-class matches held at the venue, it is used by the military academy for multi-sport activities and certain cricketers as a practice ground.
Featured photo: AFP / David Gray
