The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Mullanpur is the newest power centre of Indian Premier League cricket in the north. Since hosting its first IPL match in 2024, this 38,000-capacity arena — built across 64 acres in the satellite township of New Chandigarh — has rapidly established itself as one of the more compelling venues on the circuit. Across 10 IPL matches in just two seasons (2024 and 2025), Mullanpur has produced an extraordinary range: from Punjab Kings hammering 219 against Chennai Super Kings to Kolkata Knight Riders being rolled for just 95 at the same ground. That 124-run spread between highest and lowest totals tells you everything about a venue that rewards intelligence over brute force.
Named after the Maharaja of Patiala, the stadium replaced the ageing PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali as Punjab Kings' home ground. The shift was more than geographic — it was a statement of intent. Modern sightscreens, improved floodlighting, and a drainage system designed for the Punjab monsoon make Mullanpur one of the most future-ready IPL venues in India.
Pitch Behaviour and Character
The Mullanpur surface is best described as a medium-pace track with genuine carry. Fast bowlers find consistent movement in the first six overs, with the pitch offering enough bounce to make the short ball a viable weapon throughout the innings. Unlike the flat batting highways of Wankhede or Chinnaswamy, Mullanpur's surface demands respect from batters — loose drives and mistimed pulls are punished more often here than at most IPL grounds.
The average per-innings total across 10 matches sits at approximately 165 — placing Mullanpur firmly in the medium-scoring band (160–180) rather than among the run-fests. First-innings scores have averaged around 168, while second-innings totals come in slightly lower at approximately 161. This gap narrows significantly under lights, where dew becomes the great equaliser.
Boundary dimensions are symmetrical and fair — neither excessively large like Ekana nor compact like Wankhede. The straight boundary is long enough to test big hitters, while the square boundaries reward placement over raw power. The altitude is negligible (around 300 metres above sea level), so the ball does not travel significantly further through the air as it does in Bengaluru or Dharamsala.
The pitch tends to slow down as the match progresses, which is significant for team strategy. Spinners who bowl with pace through the air (rather than flight) have found more purchase in the second innings compared to the first. The surface does not deteriorate rapidly, but the slight grip available from overs 12–16 can change the complexion of a game.
Historical Record Table
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total IPL matches hosted | 10 (since 2024) |
| Seasons used | 2024 (5 matches), 2025 (5 matches) |
| Average first innings score | ~168 |
| Average second innings score | ~161 |
| Overall strike rate | 146.74 |
| Highest team total | 219 by Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings, 8 April 2025 |
| Lowest team total | 95 by Kolkata Knight Riders vs Punjab Kings, 15 April 2025 |
| Total boundaries | 456 (295 fours, 161 sixes) |
| Toss winner advantage | 60% (6 out of 10) |
Toss and Chase Psychology
The toss has carried a 60% advantage at Mullanpur across 10 matches — above the IPL-wide average. Captains overwhelmingly prefer to chase: 7 out of 10 toss winners elected to field first. The logic is straightforward — Punjab's evening humidity means dew settles on the outfield from roughly over 12 of the second innings, making the ball skid on faster and robbing spinners of grip.
However, there is a fascinating counter-narrative in the data. Of the 3 captains who chose to bat first, 2 won — a 67% success rate. When teams set imposing totals of 180+ on this surface, the pressure of chasing under lights — even with dew assistance — has proven difficult to manage. The toss winner's advantage at Mullanpur is real, but it is not the chasing paradise that some other venues have become. Smart captains who back their bowlers in the first innings can absolutely prosper here.
Most Successful Teams at Mullanpur
| Team | Wins at Venue | Matches | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Punjab Kings | 3 | 5 (home) | 60% |
| Rajasthan Royals | 2 | 2 | 100% |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 2 | 2 | 100% |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | 1 | 2 | 50% |
| Mumbai Indians | 1 | 2 | 50% |
| Gujarat Titans | 1 | 2 | 50% |
Punjab Kings' 60% home win rate across their first 5 home matches at Mullanpur is a promising start for a franchise historically plagued by inconsistency. Three wins from five at their new fortress suggests the team has begun adapting to the surface — selecting pace-heavy attacks and using the carry to their advantage in the powerplay.
Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru both hold perfect records at the venue, though on small sample sizes of 2 matches each. The Royals' success aligns with their traditionally strong spin options, which exploit the mid-innings grip, while RCB's wins point to their pace battery finding assistance in the early overs.
Memorable Matches and Moments
PBKS 219 vs CSK — 8 April 2025
The highest total at Mullanpur came courtesy of a Punjab Kings batting masterclass in IPL 2025. Posting 219 against Chennai Super Kings, PBKS demonstrated the full range of what is possible when conditions align — a flat morning preparation, a dry outfield, and batters willing to attack from the first over. The innings featured sustained hitting through the middle overs and a devastating death-overs assault. It remains the benchmark score at the venue and a warning to bowling attacks that underestimate the surface on its best days.
KKR Bowled Out for 95 — 15 April 2025
Just seven days after PBKS posted 219 at the same ground, Kolkata Knight Riders were dismissed for a paltry 95 — the lowest total in the venue's short IPL history. The 124-run contrast between highest and lowest totals at the same venue within a single week encapsulates Mullanpur's duality: generous to those who respect it, ruthless to those who do not. PBKS's seamers exploited early movement and bounce, collapsing KKR's top order inside the powerplay and never allowing recovery.
The Home Fortress Emerging — 2024-2025
Across both seasons, Punjab Kings have made Mullanpur their own in a way they never quite managed at PCA Mohali. The franchise won 3 of 5 home matches — a record that, while modest in isolation, represents genuine progress for a team that finished bottom of the table multiple times in the previous decade. The new venue has correlated with improved home performances, better crowd energy (38,000 capacity vs Mohali's 27,000), and a pitch that suits their pace-first strategy.
What Future IPL Seasons Should Expect
Across upcoming IPL seasons, the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium will continue to mature as a venue — and with it, the pitch's character will evolve. Newer grounds in India typically begin as slightly pace-friendly surfaces before gradually becoming more spin-responsive as the soil compacts and the red earth content settles. Expect Mullanpur's average first-innings score to stabilise in the 165–175 band over the next three to four seasons, with an increasing advantage for teams batting second as floodlight dew patterns become more predictable. The venue's modern infrastructure positions it as a strong candidate for IPL playoff hosting in future editions, and its 38,000 capacity ensures a commercially viable atmosphere for marquee fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium located?
The stadium is located in Mullanpur Garibdass, a satellite township of New Chandigarh in Punjab, India. It sits approximately 25 kilometres from the old PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali and serves as the home ground of Punjab Kings. The 38,000-capacity venue was developed by the Punjab Cricket Association across a 64-acre site.
What is the highest IPL score at Mullanpur?
The highest team total at Mullanpur is 219, scored by Punjab Kings against Chennai Super Kings on 8 April 2025 during IPL 2025. This remains the benchmark score at the venue and demonstrated the batting potential of the surface when conditions are favourable.
Is Mullanpur a batting or bowling pitch?
Mullanpur offers a balanced surface that leans slightly towards pace bowling, especially in the first 6 overs. The pitch provides genuine carry and bounce for fast bowlers, while slowing marginally in the middle overs to assist spinners who bowl with pace. Average innings totals of approximately 165 place it in the medium-scoring category — neither a flat batting deck nor a bowler's graveyard.
How does dew affect chases at Mullanpur?
Dew becomes a significant factor from approximately over 12 of the second innings in night matches at Mullanpur. Punjab's evening humidity ensures the ball becomes wetter, reducing grip for spinners and making the ball skid onto the bat. This is why 7 out of 10 toss winners have elected to field first — chasing under dew-affected conditions is perceived as a meaningful advantage.
Which team has the best record at Mullanpur?
Punjab Kings lead with 3 wins from 5 home matches (60% win rate). Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru each hold 2 wins from 2 matches (100%), though on smaller sample sizes. The venue is still relatively new, with only 10 IPL matches played across 2024 and 2025.
When did Mullanpur first host an IPL match?
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium hosted its first IPL match during the 2024 season, replacing the PCA IS Bindra Stadium in Mohali as Punjab Kings' home ground. The stadium had previously hosted international cricket matches from 2023.
What is the lowest IPL score at Mullanpur?
The lowest total at the venue is 95, scored by Kolkata Knight Riders against Punjab Kings on 15 April 2025. KKR were bowled out in a comprehensive collapse that highlighted the pace-friendly nature of the surface when bowlers hit the right lengths consistently.