The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh, India, is a significant venue in the cricketing landscape, particularly for T20 cricket. This article thoroughly examines the T20 records at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Stadium, covering international and domestic competitions. Given its history of hosting matches in the Indian Premier League (IPL) and a single T20 International (T20I), the records reflect a blend of high-octane domestic performances and limited international benchmarks. The analysis aims to offer a thorough understanding for cricket enthusiasts and analysts, ensuring all relevant data is presented clearly and professionally.
Stadium Background and Significance
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium, often called the PCA Stadium, is a pivotal ground for cricket in Chandigarh. It has hosted various formats, but its role in T20 cricket, primarily through IPL matches, has been prominent. The stadium’s pitch and conditions have favored both batsmen and bowlers, leading to memorable performances. Research into match archives, such as those on ESPNCricinfo Ground Page, confirms its status as a venue for high-scoring T20 encounters, particularly in the IPL.
T20 International Records: A Limited Dataset
The stadium’s T20I history is sparse, with only one match recorded: India versus Sri Lanka on December 20, 2016. This match, detailed on ESPNCricinfo Match Page, saw India post 167/6, securing a 7-run victory over Sri Lanka’s 160/8. Given this single game, the records are modest but noteworthy:
- Highest Individual Score: Virat Kohli scored 63 for India, a steady knock under pressure.
- Best Bowling Figures: Lasith Malinga took 3/25 for Sri Lanka, showcasing his death-over prowess.
- Highest Team Total: India’s 167/6, a competitive total on the day.
- Lowest Team Total: Sri Lanka’s 160/8, the only other score in this category.
This limited dataset highlights the rarity of T20I matches at the venue, with most records stemming from domestic T20 cricket, particularly the IPL.
Indian Premier League Records: The Heart of T20 Action
The IPL has been the primary driver of T20 records at the stadium, with numerous matches featuring the Kings XI Punjab (now Punjab Kings) and visiting teams. The stadium’s history, as noted on the IPL Stats Page, includes several standout performances:
- Highest Individual Score: AB de Villiers’ unbeaten 120 for Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2015 is a testament to his dominance, turning the game with aggressive stroke play.
- Best Bowling Figures: Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s 5/19 for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2017 is a masterclass in economy and wicket-taking, stifling the opposition.
- Highest Team Total: Mumbai Indians’ 235/5 in 2019, driven by explosive batting, set a benchmark for high-scoring games.
- Lowest Team Total: Delhi Daredevils’ 84 all-out in 2010 reflects a rare collapse, possibly due to pitch conditions or bowling prowess.
- Most Sixes in an Innings: Chris Gayle’s 10 sixes in 2013 for Royal Challengers Bangalore electrified the crowd, showcasing his power-hitting.
- Fastest Fifty: Yusuf Pathan’s 15-ball fifty in 2012 for Kolkata Knight Riders highlighted his ability to accelerate, a crucial asset in T20 cricket.
- Record Partnership: Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan’s 183-run stand for Mumbai Indians in 2018 laid a solid foundation, demonstrating batting depth.
These records, compiled from IPL archives and verified through ESPNCricinfo IPL Records, underscore the stadium’s role as a stage for IPL heroics.
Other T20 Records: Domestic Tournament Highlights
Beyond the IPL, the stadium has hosted matches in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, India’s domestic T20 tournament. While data is less centralized, notable records include:
- Highest Individual Score: Manish Pandey’s unbeaten 148 for Karnataka in 2019, a rare feat in domestic T20, as per BCCI Domestic Cricket Archives.
- Best Bowling Figures: Barinder Sran’s 6/10 for Himachal Pradesh in 2021, a devastating spell that decimated the opposition, noted in tournament reports.
While not as widely publicized, these records add to the stadium’s rich T20 tapestry, reflecting its versatility across formats.
Comparative Analysis and Unexpected Insights
An unexpected insight is the stark contrast between T20I and IPL records. The single T20I match yielded modest figures, with Kohli’s 63 and Malinga’s 3/25 paling compared to IPL feats like de Villiers’ 120* or Kumar’s 5/19. This disparity suggests domestic T20 cricket, particularly the IPL, has been the proper testing ground for records at this venue. The stadium’s conditions, favoring high scores in IPL, contrast with the tighter contest in the T20I, offering a nuanced view of its cricketing character. The stadium also has world-class facilities like the Talkatora Stadium and Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium of New Delhi, a sports hub for athletes.
Future Prospects
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium’s T20 cricket records are dominated by IPL performances, with limited but notable T20I contributions. As cricket evolves, fans can anticipate more records being set, potentially in future IPL seasons or additional T20 tournaments. This venue remains a beacon for cricketing excellence, promising thrilling encounters and memorable performances.
T20 Cricket Records at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium
Here’s a comprehensive table detailing the significant T20 cricket records at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium:
| Record Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Highest Total | Jammu and Kashmir: 238/2 against Arunachal Pradesh, 2022 |
| Lowest Total | Meghalaya: 53 all out against Haryana, 2022 |
| Most Runs | Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra): 147 runs in 5 matches, Average: 36.75, Strike Rate: 147 |
| Most Wickets | Pulkit Narang, Satyajeet Bachhav, Vijaykumar Vyshak: 8 wickets |
| Highest Individual Score | Ruturaj Gaikwad (Maharashtra): 114 off 68 balls against Kerala, 2022 |
| Best Bowling Figures | Vidwath Kaverappa (Karnataka): 5/11 against Jammu and Kashmir, 2022 |
| Highest Partnership | Yuvraj Chaudhary and Avneesh Sudha (Uttarakhand): 140 runs against Maharashtra, 2023 |
Summarizing key IPL records at the stadium
Table 1: Highest Individual Scores in IPL at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium
| Player | Team | Runs | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| AB de Villiers | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 120* | 2015 |
| Chris Gayle | Royal Challengers Bangalore | 117 | 2013 |
| Rohit Sharma | Mumbai Indians | 109 | 2018 |
Table 2: Best Bowling Figures in IPL at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium
| Bowler | Team | Figures | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 5/19 | 2017 |
| Amit Mishra | Delhi Capitals | 4/18 | 2014 |
| Lasith Malinga | Mumbai Indians | 4/22 | 2013 |
Table 3: Team Records in IPL at Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium
| Record | Team | Score | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highest Team Total | Mumbai Indians | 235/5 | 2019 |
| Lowest Team Total | Delhi Daredevils | 84 all out | 2010 |
| Successful Chase | Rajasthan Royals | 229/5 | 2018 |
Conclusion
The Maharaja Yadavindra Singh Cricket Stadium has witnessed several remarkable performances in T20 cricket. Jammu and Kashmir set the highest total of 238/2, showcasing their batting dominance, while Meghalaya recorded the lowest total of 53 all out, highlighting the challenges of the pitch and conditions.
Individually, Ruturaj Gaikwad has left a significant mark, scoring the highest individual score of 114 off 68 balls and amassing 147 runs in 5 matches with an impressive strike rate. On the bowling front, Vidwath Kaverappa’s 5/11 and the consistent wicket-taking abilities of Pulkit Narang, Satyajeet Bachhav, and Vijaykumar Vyshak (8 wickets each) underline the impact of quality bowlers at this venue dominated as the Indian National Cricket Team dominated in the CPL 2025.
Additionally, the 140-run partnership between Yuvraj Chaudhary and Avneesh Sudha highlights the potential for strong batting collaborations at the stadium. These records illustrate a well-balanced contest between bat and ball, making the stadium a venue for thrilling T20 encounters.
