Dharamshala has become the first Indian venue to introduce hybrid pitches. Here is everything you need to know about the newly built facility, including the makers, how it’s different from a traditional cricket pitch and preparation procedure.
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Who was behind India’s first hybrid cricket pitch?
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) decided to install four hybrid wickets at the picturesque venue of Dharamshala. The artificial turfs were unveiled on Tuesday (May 7). The project was undertaken by SISGrass, a UK-based company specialised in synthetic turf production.
IPL Chairman Arun Dhumal and Paul Taylor, a former England cricketer and SIS’s international cricket director, attended the inauguration ceremony.
“The introduction of hybrid pitches is set to revolutionize cricket in India, following their success in iconic venues like Lord’s and The Oval in England,” said Dhumal, who hails from Himachal Pradesh.
The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association’s pioneering initiative in adopting SIS Hybrid Pitch technology marks a significant advancement in cricket ground infrastructure across the state. This is the second state-of-the-art technology following the installation of SISAir in 2022. pic.twitter.com/zrjlEIz7Ul
— HPCA (@himachalcricket) April 4, 2024
How is Dharamshala’s new hybrid pitch different from a traditional one?
The hybrid pitch combines natural turf with synthetic fibres to make it more durable, reducing the wear and tear across a full-fledged season. With the usage of five per cent artificial material, the wickets ensure that the traditional characteristics of a cricket pitch are retained.
It’s worth noting the Dharamshala outfield faced criticism during the 2023 ODI World Cup for its outfield and wicket.
How the hybrid pitch is produced?
The ‘Universal Machine’, which is used for preparing the hybrid surfaces, was originally manufactured by SISGrass in 2017 and has been instrumental in preparing numerous wickets at various English County venues. The machine will be taken to Ahmedabad and Mumbai to create further such future projects.
