Nestled 1,457 metres above sea level in the Kangra Valley, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala is the highest-altitude venue in IPL history. Across 14 IPL matches hosted between 2010 and 2025, the ground has produced an average first-innings total of 178 and witnessed some of the most visually spectacular cricket the tournament has to offer — played out against a backdrop of snow-capped Dhauladhar peaks that no other cricket stadium on earth can match.
Punjab Kings have called the HPCA Stadium home since the franchise's inception, and the ground's identity is inseparable from theirs. Yet the venue's compact dimensions, altitude-assisted carry, and increasingly high-scoring nature have made it a destination that every IPL team relishes visiting. In 14 matches through 2025, six different franchises have recorded wins here — proof that the Dharamsala deck is no fortress for the hosts.
Pitch Behaviour & Character
The surface at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala is a balanced track that offers genuine assistance to both batters and bowlers — a rarity in modern T20 cricket. The pitch has good bounce and consistent carry, rewarding stroke-makers who trust the surface. Pacers benefit from the altitude: at 1,457 metres, the thinner air means the ball travels faster off the bat and swings less, but seam movement off the deck remains a weapon, especially in the first six overs when there is moisture.
Boundary dimensions range from 62 metres on the shorter square boundary to 70 metres straight — compact enough that top-order batters with timing can clear the ropes without brute force. The altitude amplifies this: shots that would land five metres short at sea-level venues comfortably sail over the rope in Dharamsala. The average first-innings score of 178 across 14 IPL matches reflects a ground that tilts towards batting, yet the lowest total of 116 (Kings XI Punjab bowled out by Deccan Chargers in 2011) proves that disciplined bowling still finds rewards.
Dew becomes a significant factor in evening matches. Temperatures in Dharamsala drop sharply after sunset — often by 8–10°C — and condensation settles on the outfield from around the 14th over of the second innings. This makes gripping the ball difficult for bowlers, turning decent totals into chaseable ones. Day matches, rare as they are, play more evenly, with the dry mountain air offering consistent conditions throughout.
Historical Record Table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total IPL matches hosted | 14 (2010–2025) |
| Average first innings score | 178 |
| Average second innings score | 165 |
| Highest team total | 241/7 by Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs PBKS, 9 May 2024 |
| Lowest team total | 116 all out by KXIP vs Deccan Chargers, 2011 |
| Highest individual score | 106 by Adam Gilchrist (KXIP) vs RCB, 17 May 2011 |
| Teams batting first wins | 9 (64.3%) |
| Teams chasing wins | 5 (35.7%) |
| Leading run-scorer at venue | Shaun Marsh — 334 runs in 7 innings |
| Leading wicket-taker at venue | Piyush Chawla — 13 wickets in 9 matches |
Toss & Chase Psychology
The numbers at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala tell a counterintuitive story. Teams batting first have won 9 of 14 IPL matches here (64.3%), making Dharamsala one of the strongest bat-first venues in the tournament's history. Yet captains overwhelmingly choose to field after winning the toss — in the six most recent matches (2023–2025), five of six toss winners elected to chase.
The logic is understandable: dew makes second-innings bowling treacherous, and the compact boundaries theoretically favour chasers under lights. But the data says otherwise. Teams winning the toss at the HPCA Stadium have won only 42.9% of their matches — meaning the toss loser has actually won more often (57.1%). The lesson is clear: in Dharamsala's thin mountain air, posting a big total and defending it has historically been the winning formula, regardless of what the toss-winner decides.
The altitude factor cannot be overstated. Bowlers who rely on swing find it harder to move the ball in thinner air, while the ball comes onto the bat quicker. A target of 175 at Dharamsala feels closer to 185 at a sea-level venue because run-scoring is inherently easier, yet the psychological pressure of chasing at altitude — where a dropped catch or a misfield travels further — compounds errors.
Most Successful Teams at Dharamsala
| Team | Wins at Venue | Matches | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | 4 | 10 | 40.0% |
| Delhi Capitals | 2 | 3 | 66.7% |
| Chennai Super Kings | 2 | 3 | 66.7% |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2 | 4 | 50.0% |
| Rajasthan Royals | 1 | 2 | 50.0% |
Punjab Kings, as the home franchise, have played the most matches at the HPCA Stadium — 10 across all IPL seasons — but their 40% win rate is a reminder that home advantage at Dharamsala is more about familiarity with conditions than dominance. Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings share the best win percentage at the venue (66.7% each from 3 matches), though the sample size is small. RCB hold the venue's highest team total — that blistering 241/7 in May 2024 — yet have split their four matches evenly.
The key insight: visiting teams are not at a disadvantage in Dharamsala. The venue rewards execution over experience. Teams that post 180+ in the first innings have won 78% of their matches here.
Memorable Matches & Moments
RCB's 241/7 — The Highest Score in Dharamsala History (2024)
On 9 May 2024, Royal Challengers Bengaluru dismantled the Punjab Kings bowling attack to post 241/7 — comfortably the highest team total in the venue's IPL history. The compact boundaries and thin air turned every mishit into a boundary opportunity. The PBKS bowlers had nowhere to hide as RCB's batters launched an assault that averaged over 12 runs per over. It was a brutal demonstration of what altitude does to scoring in T20 cricket.
Adam Gilchrist's 106 — The Only IPL Century at the Venue (2011)
The great Adam Gilchrist holds a record that has stood for over 14 years: the only IPL century at the HPCA Stadium. Playing for Kings XI Punjab against RCB on 17 May 2011, Gilchrist smashed 106 off just 55 balls — an innings that included a 122-metre six off Charl Langeveldt, one of the longest hits in IPL history. The thin Himalayan air carried the ball deep into the stands, and no batter has matched the feat at Dharamsala since.
PBKS vs DC — The 122 All Out Collapse (2025)
On 8 May 2025, Punjab Kings were bundled out for just 122 against Delhi Capitals — the lowest completed innings at the venue in recent seasons. On a pitch that looked like a road, DC's bowlers exploited early-morning moisture and disciplined lengths to reduce PBKS to a total that was never competitive. It proved that even at a high-scoring ground, the first few overs in Dharamsala carry genuine risk for batters.
What Future IPL Seasons Should Expect
Across upcoming IPL seasons, the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala will continue to occupy a unique space in the tournament's geography. The altitude advantage — 1,457 metres, with thinner air that carries the ball further and negates conventional swing — ensures that totals of 190+ remain the par score for teams batting first. The venue's compact boundaries (62–70 metres) and PBKS's ongoing tenure as the home franchise mean Dharamsala will remain a fixture on the IPL calendar.
The dew factor in evening matches will continue to tempt captains into chasing, but the historical data firmly favours teams who bat first and post commanding totals. Future playing XIs at this venue should prioritise power-hitting depth and wrist-spin bowling — finger spinners have historically struggled to grip the ball in the cool, dew-laden Dharamsala evenings. Pace bowlers who hit hard lengths and use the bounce from the altitude, rather than relying on swing, will find the greatest success.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the HPCA Stadium located and what is its capacity?
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium is located in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh, India, at an altitude of 1,457 metres above sea level in the Kangra Valley. The stadium has a seating capacity of approximately 23,000 spectators and features a stunning backdrop of the snow-capped Dhauladhar mountain range.
What is the highest IPL score at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala?
The highest team total at the HPCA Stadium in IPL history is 241/7, scored by Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Punjab Kings on 9 May 2024. Adam Gilchrist holds the highest individual score at the venue — 106 off 55 balls for KXIP against RCB in 2011.
Is Dharamsala a batting or bowling pitch?
The HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala is predominantly a batting-friendly venue. The average first-innings score of 178 across 14 IPL matches, combined with compact boundaries (62–70 metres) and altitude-assisted carry, makes it one of the higher-scoring grounds in the IPL. However, pace bowlers who exploit the extra bounce and early-morning conditions can still dominate.
How does dew affect chases at the HPCA Stadium?
Dew is a significant factor in Dharamsala evening matches. Temperatures drop sharply after sunset in the mountain environment, causing condensation on the outfield and the ball from approximately the 14th over of the second innings. This makes gripping the ball difficult for bowlers and turns the surface faster for batters, theoretically aiding chasers.
Which team has the best record at the HPCA Stadium?
Delhi Capitals and Chennai Super Kings share the best win percentage at the HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, each winning 66.7% of their matches (2 wins from 3 games). Punjab Kings, the home franchise, have played the most matches (10) but hold a 40% win rate.
When did Dharamsala first host an IPL match?
The HPCA Stadium first hosted IPL matches in the 2010 season when it was introduced as a home ground for the Punjab franchise. Since then, it has hosted 14 IPL matches through the 2025 season, averaging approximately 2 matches per season when the venue is used.
Has any IPL final been played at the HPCA Stadium?
No IPL final has been played at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. The venue has been used exclusively for league-stage matches. However, its dramatic Himalayan setting and improving infrastructure make it a candidate for hosting knockout fixtures in future seasons.