IPL 2023 | PBKS vs DC: HPCA Stadium Dharamsala Pitch Report
The caravan of the 16th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) moves to the picturesque HPCA Stadium in Dharamsala for the first time as Punjab Kings host the Delhi Capitals in the return fixture on Wednesday, May 16.
As things stand, the Shikhar Dhawan-led unit is at the 8th spot and this game is a virtual encounter for them as far as the playoffs aspirations are concerned.
The Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, were officially eliminated from the competition in their last outing when their batting-unit was spun into a tizzy by Punjab's bowlers at their home turf.
However, the David Warner-led unit can still prove to be party poopers for PBKS, which will be desperate for a positive result on Wednesday.
Dharamsala has been a happy hunting ground for Punjab against their Delhi counterparts. In 3 encounters, the former has come out trumps on two occasions. But these numbers frankly mean nothing at all as those games were played nearly a decade ago.
IPL 2023 | HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala: Pitch Report
This will be the first game since February 2022 that the HPCA Stadium will host a competitive game.
The last competitive T20 at the venue was played between India and Sri Lanka, before the state association decided to relay the outfield by installing a new drainage system.
While one can't predict the exact nature of the pitch, if we go by history, then Dharamsala has always been a venue where bowlers- especially spinners- have enjoyed assistance.
In the 18 IPL matches played at the venue, the spinners have averaged 25.4 while the corresponding figure for pacers is 28.4.
That said, the average 1st innings score here is 175.7, which suggests that runs are on offer if a batter gets in.
 "Yash Mittal")
