The last battle

Deepankar Sharda

Tribune News Service

Mohali, March 10

The fans at IS Bindra PCA Stadium were left disappointed after they came to know that today’s ODI match between India and Australia will be the last international fixture at the venue.

“We have now a memory to live with. This ground has many beautiful memories and we have seen some great matches here. Somewhere down the line I will miss this arena,” said Raghu Bansal.

Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) is likely to shift their base to the new stadium coming up at Mullanpur before December this year. It will bring an end to over 15-year-long cricketing history associated with IS Bindra Stadium, which featured some of the most intense battles in international cricket, the most memorable one being the India-Pakistan World Cup semifinal in 2011.

“Yes, this could be the last match here. The new stadium is near completion and we may host the next international match at the new facility,” said RP Singla, honorary secretary, PCA.

The new facility is spread across 38.2 acres and will have six stands with a total capacity of 38,000. The PCA is likely to get its possession before December.

Nostalgia

Since its establishment in 1993, IS Bindra Stadium has hosted 25 ODIs, including today’s match. The facility has also hosted 13 Tests and four T20Is.   

“Mohali is somewhere we grew up watching cricket. Though it will be much better in Mullanpur, we are going to miss this place,” said Manisha, an entrepreneur. 

The fans were also disappointed that they couldn’t see MS Dhoni in action for one last time at Mohali. “If this is the last match here, MS Dhoni could have played,” rued Bansal.    

While the fans were dejected, the residents living in the vicinity of the stadium heaved a sigh of relief.  “It’s good that they are finally shifting to Mullanpur. The matches here are a great trouble for us, particularly the ones like the 2011 World Cup semifinal between India and Pakistan… it was the most harrowing time,” recalled Rupinder Kaur.

Rajeev Tandon added: “Though I am a cricket fan, the situation here during all the international and IPL matches is unbearable.” 

While there will be no more international matches at IS Bindra Stadium, it will continue to be the Kings XI Punjab home ground during the upcoming IPL.